29 Nov 2017 00:46:07
New Orleans Pelicans get: Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric, Jahlil Okafor, Jerryd Bayless, 2017 Philadelphia 76ers first-round pick, 2017 Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick/2018 Sacramento Kings first-round pick

Philadelphia 76ers get: Anthony Davis and Cheick Diallo

Regardless of what is going on with the mystery of Fultz in Philadelphia, his undeniable potential for superstardom has definitely not disappeared and the fact that the 76ers want to see all of that potential come to fruition in Philadelphia still exists. However, the fact that Ben Simmons has been thriving tremendously as a point guard in his first year leaves room for flexibility. Sure, Fultz can be shifted to the shooting guard position and Simmons is a point-forward anyway, however, if an opportunity came around to acquire a young, tremendous superstar, Fultz would be the top candidate for trade bait.

Enter Anthony Davis!

Just the thought of the trio of Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Davis is downright terrifying. Although all three players are at different point of their careers, they've all shown flashed of excellence on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court. Simmons, through a few handful of games, has shown that he can facilitate an offense, score in a variety of ways near the basket, and hold his own on the defensive end while stealing balls and blocking shots on a regular basis. Even though he's been limited in in-game action due to injuries, when healthy, Embiid has shown unmatched potential in his ability to score in the post and around the perimeter, rebound consistently, and terrorize offensives on the defensive end. Although those two players are only tapping into their potential, Davis has proven himself to be a superstar at the young age of 24. His efficiency on both ends of the court has turned him into an annual MVP candidate with the finish line still far ahead.

Alongside Robert Covington (27), T.J. McConnell (25), Justin Anderson (24), Richaun Holmes (24), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (22), Furkan Korkmaz (20), newly acquired Diallo (21), the rights to 2017 first-round pick Anzejs Pasecniks (21), and over $20 million in cap space (based off a $101 million salary cap projection for the 2018/19 season), the upside of this trio and the team in general would be sky high.

As for the Pelicans, they'd be receiving this past year's number one pick who has been compared to a hybrid of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. That's a pretty tall order, but him playing anything close to that sort of a hybrid player would be a win for the Pelicans. Saric doesn't seem to have much star potential, but does look like he can turn into a very solid starter and third- or fourth-option on a good team. Okafor deserves a chance to showcase the talent he does possess (regardless of whether he fits in with the modern style of play or not), and doing so on a rebuilding team with not much talent at the center position (assuming the Pelicans trade DeMarcus Cousins as well should they decide to rebuild). Alongside two picks (one which should fall between the 15 and 20 range and the other which could fall between the second and fifth pick of this year or should be a high lottery pick next year), the Pelicans would have a hard time finding a better package for Davis than this one.


1.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 08:08:48
Looks like an overpay but i think Pelicans will hold on to Davis.


2.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 16:03:44
What a remarkably lame trade offer for a Superstar. Draft picks and mediocre pieces do not get you a Superstar. I kinda feel bad that you basically wrote a book to defend a horrible trade offer.


3.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 17:52:49
its a pretty good package for davis, but swap in embiid for saric and maybe adjust the picks being offered and you have a deal the pels could actually take.


4.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 10:45:41
Did know one realize they said the pelicans are getting the 2017 pick isn't that fultz.