05 Jan 2018 14:46:55
The Pelicans get Aminu, Nurkic, Collins, Davis(exp), Vonleh (expiring), and Portlands 2018 1st

The TrailBlazers get Cousins and Asik

The Pelicans get some solid pieces to help build around Davis with, save a close to 15 million by the offseason, get a solid wing player in Aminu, and most importantly don't lose Cousins for nothing.

Portland puts together a big 3.

1.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 15:21:32
Aminu is not a solid wing. At least not solid enough to bring back a second time.

I like the idea of getting Asik shipped off to soften the blow of losing an All-Star but if there is no shot to resign DMC, Pels can probably do a bit better than this.

2.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 15:29:23
Based on Irving to Boston trade this looks like an overpay for Portland. I realize Asik departure would be to bait N. O. Into the trade, but I would not do this deal if I was Portland even if Cousins would sign new deal. Portland fans don't care for Cousins that much either. Although they would probably love him as a blazer, but Cousins probably not thrilled to go there.

3.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 16:15:08
Jorga, the Cavs got an allstar, a lottery pick, a starting caliber 3 and d small forward, some smaller assets in Zizic and a 2nd, and they saved 7 millionish in the process ( take into account the Cavs luxury tax and that is more like 30 plus million) . The Cavs got the best deal for a star since Melo.

4.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 17:05:18
Aminu is an elite defender that is shooting 42% from 3. How is he not a solid wing?

The pelicans get Aminu (equal to Crowder), Nurkic (a 23 year old top 10 center), the most recent #10 pick, and a future first. That’s quite the package for 50 games of cousins.

I wouldn’t do this simply because I would have absolutely no faith that Portland could retain Cousins.

5.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 17:25:35
POR is trading 4 sometimes 5 guys they use in their rotation, and getting back 1. Asik is a huge negative in this. Outweighing it all though is Boogie getting Booed in Portland. Think that makes this unbelievable more than anything else, and why I think Boogie says no. Leonard instead of Davis would look better to me, and make this more palatable, but the salaries wouldn't match then. Collins essentially makes this deal 2 1st rounders. Nurkic isn't an All-star but is young, and shows promise. Boogie is probably worth it, but Portland is giving up a lot of guys who play in their rotation. No Vonleh, no Davis, add Leonard? Looks better, but I'm still not seeing a deal for either team. Leonards contract is for too many seasons.

6.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 20:12:32
Jorga, I think it's all about how you see Nurkic and Collins. Davis is a very replaceable journeyman, Vonleh is a mediocre role player that I don't think Portland will want to spend more luxury tax to keep around, and if Cousins is in the mix that pick is low to mid 20s. Aminu is a good defender that can hit the 3. He's a good player, but will never be more than a 3 and d guy. Collins has been a non factor this year and while he can't be written off completely, I don't think he's significantly helping this team in the near future. Nurkic is a starting caliber center and is still young, but what is his upside? He isn't an overly efficient scorer and that's without even having range to the 3 point line. He's a good defender, but doesn't look like a guy that has the athleticism to be an elite defender and he is a solid rebounder, but not great rebounder. I think the most puzzling thing is he has taken a step back this year. Maybe, it's because last year was a limited sample size with Portland? But you would think at his age, with more time to gel and in a contract year, he would have take a step forward. I think something like this is as good of a return as NOs could expect, but for a guy of Cousins caliber, I don't think this is anywhere near an over pay.

7.) 06 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 23:25:47
It probably is about how I see E. Davis. I like his game. I would prefer to have him in my rotation over T. Thompson. He plays C/ PF, just not stretch anything. Good defender, moves without the ball, capable passer, and is a fantastic rebounder which is an over-rated skill, but he is exceptional at it.

8.) 06 Jan 2018
06 Jan 2018 06:36:36
Blazers don't do this. They lose so much to bet on cousins signing back with the team (which probably won't happen) . Besides who would want an expiring contract unpredictable cousins on his 3rd team in 2 years.

9.) 06 Jan 2018
06 Jan 2018 13:39:50
Cool, a team that is going to be the 7th and 8th seed for the third straight year with 2 allstars and with the teams in front of them doesn't look like they'll beable to do better than that in the foreseeable future. What's the point of hanging on to mediocrity? Imo it's better to take a risk and if it doesn't work out, maybe rebuilding is the right path while you still have leverage in any trade deal.