Could Dell Demps be the Mickey Loomis of the NBA

The New Orleans Pelicans are once again reportedly interested in a player on the trading block. While unlikely to acquire the unhappy Eric Bledsoe, that won’t stop the rumors from circulating. Another move of such magnitude could change Dell Demps’ perception in NOLA. In his early days in New Orleans, Demps was seen as a GM with loads of potential. Due to questionable decisions, and a bit of bad fortune, most consider Dell to be a disappointment. Whether true or not he still has the opportunity to change that notion. A few low key moves and a big DeMarcus Cousins deal has helped big time the past couple of seasons. One more big move may be needed to put the icing on the cake. When learning about rebuilding a legacy however, Demps may want to look in his own building at Mickey Loomis.

Some say it’s best to learn from someone in life who’s had to overcome similar circumstances to your own. Being able to relate and compare, brings a certain type of advice and comfort that isn’t easy to find in everyone. Dell Demps and Mickey Loomis have been compared before. Both being GM’s of the Pelicans and Saints respectively, their tenures have been met with many highs and lows.

Unfortunately, the comparisons have mainly been negative in recent history. Loomis, helped turn the perception of the New Orleans Saints from a loser, to an annual playoff threat. He had seen days and teams before Hurricane Katrina, and glorious times after a rebuild and a championship. After multiple mediocre seasons however, people started to question if maybe Loomis’ time had run its coarse.

At one point Tom Benson thought so highly of him that in 2012 Loomis, a guy with strictly a football background, was named head of basketball operations for the Pelicans.

The move was an eyebrow raiser. Though Mickey had brought great success to New Orleans, having dual roles didn’t seem ideal. I can barely look up and walk simultaneously, so holding high ranking positions for two sports organizations seems quite the task. Loomis, as recent as January this year, claimed his role was “overblown”

"“I think it’s probably overblown the amount of actual time and work that I have to do with the Pelicans. It’s something Mr. (Tom) Benson has asked me to do, but, again, I think it’s overblown the amount of actual work that I do”"

Outside of having zero professional basketball experience, the Loomis addition was deemed disastrous for another reason. The similarities in the failures both Dell Demps and Loomis have experienced.

No GM is perfect, as it’s impossible to be right about every player. While there’s no way to win on every attempt, the goal is for the makes to outweigh the misses. For Demps and Loomis that had not been the case.

Pelicans fans cringe at the thoughts of Omer Asik and Solomon Hill (already). The odd fit of Tyreke Evans, accompanied by Jrue Holiday and all time Pelicans villain Eric Gordon. The dumping of Robin Lopez, loose handling of draft picks, and lack of development when drafting, all hovered over the franchise. Let’s not forget their failure to find respectable wing perimeter threats.

For the Saints, they also had their massive contract misses; bad drafting, questionable decisions, and what felt like a sacrilegious practice of not fielding respectable defenses.

Quite similar, isn’t it?

That’s the bad side of the two. And while that’s normally enough to get a person fired, Demps and Loomis stayed around. Loomis helped build a legendary draft class in 2006 and won a super bowl. He also sprinkled both bold gambling with underrated shrewd moves in between an abundance of mediocrity. For Demps, he’s been apart of two playoff teams and probably handled the Chris Paul divorce better than anybody could have in 2010. Demps also dealt (and still is dealing) with a ridiculous amount of injuries, and a well known pressure from ownership to win, and to win now.

Drafting Anthony Davis will do that for you. That pressure consequently will always have folks wondering “how much control does demps truthfully have?” The question, is still unknown and may never be answered. However, that didn’t stop Demps from trying. He continued to put together his version of “the best roster.”

Simply put: Dell Demps has been through hell in New Orleans. Simarally to Loomis the organization took notice that both needed help, and it was provided.

That’s when things arguably started to change.

Loomis at one point was known as the “cap devil” as the Saints constantly led the NFL in “dead money” for years. With player scouting in question and a need for another fresh football mind, Saints brought in former GM Jeff Ireland.

Dell Demps’ was constantly criticized for his ability to build around AD. Questions in decision making, later on equaled to the Pelicans bringing in former GM Danny Ferry as an advisor.

See the Parallels? They continue!

This offseason the Saints were limited in cap room, they chose to sign players with upside at bargain rates. Dell Demps and the Pels faced the same struggles and did the exact same thing. Both GM’s were also lauded for particular moves they didn’t make, that would have likely had indications on their current team.

Do the Pelicans ever see Boogie Cousins if they trade for Greg Monroe? Probably not! What about Jahlil Okafor?

The Boogie Cousins trade arguably saved Demps’ job. He now has an opportunity to rebuild a legacy that most wrote dead years ago. Mickey, who was a New Orleans legend without the recent success, was still able to rewrite his.

The Saints under Loomis had a quiet underrated 2016, followed by an impactful 2017. Demps has the opportunity to be similar after bringing in a couple low key additions last year. This year alone has seen DeMarcus Cousins, Ian Clark, Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Jameer Nelson all added.

Loomis was able to trust time, and the people around him. If that doesn’t provide immediate success the Saints are still setup well for years.

So can Dell Demps equal the path and rebirth of Mickey Loomis in New Orleans?

Loomis and the Saints story this season is a lot about redemption. You can’t spell redemption without Demp.

Okay that’s corny, but think about it this way.

Even if New Orleans misses on Bledsoe, they’ll likely be linked to the next big time player on the trading block. They were already quietly linked to Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving and Paul George recently. A move anywhere close to those capacities could turn the Pels into a contender. They should have plenty of opportunities to get better.

Next: Jameer Nelson: A Perfect Fit For NOLA

Demps was originally a likable, wide-smiled, young face that instantly provided optimism the moment he stepped into New Orleans. We saw Demps perform magic last season, and one more act could transform the franchise. There’s only one thing New Orleans loves more than

partying

it’s voodoo, and that’s a good comeback story.