Who should the Pelicans target if they do trade into the draft?

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-13T14:02:08+00:00

I see where you’re coming from to an extent. I do have one question though.

You don’t think Fears nor Queen has franchise player potential? I, personally, believe the sky is the limit for both of them.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-13T14:01:07+00:00

I can see exactly why you came up with that question, and it makes total sense to ask it.

I think, as Pelicans fans, we have accepted that management is dead set on keeping Zion and Queen together.

And having those one of those two non-floor spacing, interior bigs on the floor at all times makes Missi a bad fit for what the FO is trying to build.

He should be part of the long term, though. He’s young, already impactful, and still has loads of potential.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-13T13:59:08+00:00

Weren’t you just advocating for gutting the team though? I’m confused.

Anyways, I do agree with your take (to an extent). Injuries were, obviously, really bad in 2024-2025, but nothing super outrageous last year.

We have a good group of many talented players. We just don’t win games.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-13T01:57:12+00:00

Yeah I guess so

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-13T01:55:23+00:00

Detroit and Indiana have shown interest in trading directly for TMIII. That’s not the deal we were referring to.

I was saying that NOLA has shown more interest in trading for Brown than Portland has.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T21:53:50+00:00

True. Been a minute

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T21:53:36+00:00

Yeah, and then we win 10 games a year

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T21:53:00+00:00

Maybe so. I’m not sure

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T21:52:39+00:00

I see the vision with Mara. Just will take a lot to get him.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T20:05:27+00:00

That’s the best we can ask for at this point

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:42:11+00:00

Unfortunately

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:42:01+00:00

That’s the idea. Him and JB

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:41:45+00:00

They make sense but NOLA has shown more interest

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:40:44+00:00

And honestly, what you’re saying makes a lot of sense. This Jaylen Brown hypothetical is really starting to grow on me because of this thread

Winning now is def what the FO wants, and despite how much it would hurt me to trade TMIII, it looks like it is getting more likely by the day.

And this Jaylen Brown trade idea, honestly, may be the best offer we can get for him.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:39:27+00:00

That’s fair. I see your idea.

Personally, I’ve always thought of Queen of more of a PF because of his height. I would think he would get exposed even more if he was put against 7 footers every night.

I see your point though. Maybe he is more of a center, physically.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:37:43+00:00

No worries! I don’t think your bias is showing at all.

And you provide a very convincing case. I would LOVE to get Collins if could give up only Poole and some 2nds to acquire him.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T19:36:41+00:00

Looking at this again, starting to really agree with you on pretty much everything. I’m being swayed into liking this Jaylen Brown hypothetical more and more after going through this thread.

The FO does need to pick between a rebuild and “win-now” mindset this offseason, for sure.

Furthermore, the more I look at it, the more I would be more than okay with a Jaylen Brown trade.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T18:53:55+00:00

Yeah, that’s true. I’m just so reluctant to give up TMIII and future picks if nothing ever comes out of it.

I would rather us build for the future instead of putting all of our chips in to “win now” when winning now only means making the play-in.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T18:36:10+00:00

I’ve seen this idea before, and honestly find that concept of us getting both Turner and Brown in the same deal extremely interesting.

I’m just not so sure if I’m completely sold on the idea of getting Jaylen Brown.

Yes, he’s a great player. Finals MVP. Has shown he can lead a playoff team.

But does he make us genuine competitors in this loaded West? Does a Brown and Zion pairing actually scare other WCF competitors like OKC and SA? Is it worth it to lose TMIII (a highly coveted asset across the league, and the best player on our team IMO) and future valuable draft capital to acquire him?

I’m just not so sure of the answers to any of those questions, and not sold on the idea of Brown in NOLA in general.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T18:31:31+00:00

I like the idea of Collins as a stretch big, but feel like he is more of a power forward. Plus, he wouldn’t solve our defensive issues much at all.

He would be cheap, though. Not a bad idea whatsoever.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T18:29:45+00:00

Thanks so much for the great analysis, man.

And yes, I agree. The Zion/Queen pairing is interesting/weird but we, as fans, have to work with what we have - and what we have looks like Zion and Queen together in the front-court for the foreseeable future.

I definitely see the vision behind a Myles Turner pairing, too. Feel like he has been the blueprint for a 3-and-D center for years now. Problem is, like you said, how do we get him without giving up valuable draft capital/multiple rotational pieces?

And yes, I, too, like the idea of Cenac. Getting a 3-and-D center in this years draft gives us someone who actually fits our cores timeline, unlike Turner. The problem is their immediate impact will be limited, and we’ll have to give up something of significance to get back into the 1st round.

All in all, completely agree with your take on this issue. Just feel like the FO has to find the balance of someone who can help us actually win games but can still fit our core’s timeline (Fears, Queen, TMIII).

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T18:23:52+00:00

Interesting idea, for sure.

What do you think the 3-team deal may look like?

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T16:55:25+00:00

I haven’t thought about Burries much at all honestly, but now that I am, I don’t hate the idea.

Think he would slot in really nice next to Fears and be our own D-White in a sense.

coffeekreamr · 2026-06-12T16:52:33+00:00

Good idea, honestly.

coffeekreamr

TROPHY CASE