Pelica Debrief
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Potential Trade Packages For New Orleans Pelicans Superstar Anthony Davis

By Mark Nilon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 16: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks against the Boston Celtics on January 16, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 16: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks against the Boston Celtics on January 16, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The most frequent team to be tied to an Anthony Davis deal, Boston could potentially get one done with this. Though it would be difficult to part ways with rising star Jayson Tatum, the prospects of landing AD are too great to pass up.

In this deal, New Orleans sees Tatum and Al Horford coming aboard. Here they get a young stud to fill out their vacant small forward position. While lottery picks are generally expected to produce early on in their careers, many take time to get acclimated to the league. This was not the case for 20-year-old Jason Tatum. In 30 minutes per game Tatum put up a stellar 13.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG and .7 BPG while shooting 48% from the field and an incredible 43% from 3-point range (eighth in the league). However, Tatum’s true coming out party was under the bright lights of the NBA postseason.

In 19 games, Tatum averaged 18.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 1.2 SPG. He was a huge part of their Eastern Conference Finals run that saw seven games. He’s a future star in this league and, frankly, any team would be lucky to have his services.

Next, we see veteran big Al Horford joining the roster. Though he may not be the flashiest player, Horford is a great locker-room presence, an on-court leader and a perennial NBA All-Star. If Anthony Davis gets shipped out of New Orleans, there would be a noticeable vacancy at the power forward/ center position. Though he is no AD, Horford could patch up that hole relatively nicely.

The way I see it, Al Horford is an older/ less athletic Anthony Davis. Defensively he can hold his own in one-on-one situations, can block shots and can gobble up boards (8.6 RPG for his career). Offensively he has solid post moves, can stretch out beyond the three and can put the ball on the floor. Aside from a lack of thunderous dunking abilities you essentially have a diluted Anthony Davis.

Has he ever been as good as Davis is? No! But still, they possess similar skill sets. Am I saying he’s anywhere equal to Davis? No, but he could be a serviceable replacement for the way the Pelicans operate.

The inclusion of Memphis and Sacramento’s 2019 first round picks would be the icing on the cake for a deal like this.

Verdict: A solid return package and is worth consideration

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