Landing Louisiana’s Big Man
San Antonio Spurs receive: PF Nikola Mirotic, SF Solomon Hill, PG Milos Teodosic, SG Jerome Robinson
New Orleans Pelicans receive: PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge, SF/PF Danilo Gallinari, PG Derrick White, LAC 2022 Lottery Protected First Round Pick
LA Clippers receive: PF/C Julius Randle, PF Cheick Diallo, SF Darius Miller, PF Chimezie Metu, SG Lonnie Walker
Since trading Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors, the San Antonio Spurs are low on three point shooters. So far this season, they are 29th in both three point attempts and three point makes per game. LaMarcus Aldridge has been a reliable piece for the Spurs since signing him in 2015 free agency, but despite the evolving times, he hasn’t become a dependable three point shooter. He’s better than a good majority of bigs in the league, but you still wouldn’t wan the ball in his hands when you need a three. Here, the Spurs would bring in Nikola Mirotic, who has been one of the best three point shooters in the league and is in the race for the Most Improved Player of the Year award.
Solomon Hill would be an throw-in for contractual reasons, but Jerome Robinson would also be given to help the Spurs make more shots from deep. Robinson could also develop and be a big part of San Antonio’s future. Milos Teodosic could fill in the role as one of San Antonio’s point guards, as Dejounte Murray had a season ending injury in the preseason. Patty Mills has been running the show at point guard for the Spurs, and even if Teodosic leaves the country after this season, he could still help the Spurs until Murray returns.
The New Orleans Pelicans started out hot at 4-0 but have been cooled and are struggling at 10-8. The strategy of letting Anthony Davis do his magic in the paint and at the rim and pass out to a shooter if need be seemed to be working at first. Over the past few painstaking seasons, the Pelicans have tried to find a way to win around Davis, and the most successful strategy yet was with two star big men. Last year, New Orleans was at their best since they became the Pelicans when they ran DeMarcus Cousins next to Davis.
Cousins is injured and on the Golden State Warriors now, but Aldridge could do a nice job as a replacement. Danilo Gallinari could be the stretch forward either start or come off the bench that they have been looking for for years. Derrick White and the future first round pick could provide future security in the chance that Davis leaves when he becomes a free agent. The Pelicans might be okay if they stand pat and wait for this possible dry spell to blow over, or they could roll the dice and make a move to get a another star now.
The Clippers would be cashing in on the recent success of Gallinari by bringing in Julius Randle. Randle has been a beast off the bench for the Pelican this season, and that success would likely translate to the Clippers. His affordable contract would make it possible to sign stars next summer and make the teams better by having Randle’s talent on a discounted price. Darius Miller wouldn’t likely be on the team for too long, but while he would be their, he could provide spacing for Randle to take guys one-on-one in the post. Lonnie Walker, Chimezie Metu, and Cheick Diallo would be future assurance if the 2019 free agency plans end up flopping. Walker is currently injured, and Metu isn’t what people predicted him to be before college, but Diallo (who was drafted by LAC) has had some highlight plays in his short career and has potential to have a big future.