Part I: The Disposition of Eric Gordon
The New Orleans Pelicans have been quiet, so far, this season. Per league sources, that is about to change. Eric Gordon was recently shipped to the Charlotte Hornets for the expiring Ben Gordon.
Gordon for Gordon, as it were.
In 2012, the Phoenix Suns offered restricted free agent Eric Gordon a four year, maximum value offer sheet of over $58 million. After allowing Phoenix to stress and, of course, allowing for the maximum amount of time to decide in matching Gordon’s contract in order to tie up Phoenix’s cap space, New Orleans summarily matched the maximum offer.
But New Orleans wasn’t where Gordon wanted to be. Sold hard on an up tempo offense and the Scottsdale nightlife, Gordon seemed to become conveniently hurt during important stretches of the season for the young Pelicans squad. League sources also confirm that Gordon and Head Coach Monty Williams held disagreements about the shooting guard’s role on the team.
It has been no secret that Gordon, among others, has been at the top of the Pelican’s list of issues to solve.
“It’s always difficult, when you take over a team, to make the hard personnel decisions necessary to right the ship, so to speak.” Said New Orleans General Manager Sun Scorched. “It’s important to communicate openly with your players and to discuss potential moves with them and without emotion. Players appreciate that. We spoke to Eric [Gordon] about what he envisioned his role to be and realized that it didn’t sync with what we were looking to build here in New Orleans.”
Gordon’s perspective syncs perfectly.
“Ya know, it’s tough for these GMs sometimes. They out here trying to win, we out here trying to win, but sometimes everyone wants to do it different ways.” Gordon smiled. “I’m just happy I was able to have some say on where I was headed, ya know? You don’t always get that.”
Indeed, Gordon is walking into a high octane environment, one spearheaded by a resurgent Al Jefferson. Averaging north of 25 points per contest, Jefferson has single handedly carried Charlotte to a 7-3 record on the young season. Gordon will be joining Kemba Walker (18.5 points, 8.5 assists) in a dynamic back court that will be sure to keep opposing guards on their heels, all game long.
“I’m very impressed with what Jamal has done in Charlotte, so far this season. He really has them firing on all cylinders.” Sun Scorched nodded. “We wish Eric the best of luck out east and truly feel he will excel in that environment.”
But what of the New Orleans Pelicans? The front office has tapped both Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday as the team’s co-captains and seems to be attempting to re-define the culture down in the big easy. Perhaps one of the hardest tasks a GM can be charged with.
“We have very specific things that we’re looking for.” Said Sun Scorched. “We’re going to be very methodical in terms of how we build this team going forward. We have a very special talent in Anthony down low and Jrue gives us the ability to compete well against opposing teams with strong guard play. It’s our goal to not only be competitive, but to maximize this roster while we are still lucky enough to not have to pay Anthony the maximum contract he deserves.” Sun Scorched laughed. “He and I have been joking about that for a while.”
While the culture may take some time to change, it appears that the organization is headed in the right direction.
Part II: The Acquisition of Omer Asik
Faced with the difficult decision of determining Anthony Davis’ long-term position in the CSL has not been an easy one for GM Sun Scorched.
“Obviously we’re very sensitive to Anthony and his desire and ability to play either the power forward position or, if he bulks up, the center position. We want to be very careful in determining which path he takes and we want to make sure it’s one that will maximize his impact on this league for years to come.”
Davis, rail-thin at only 222 pounds but standing over 6’10”, is a unique problem to have.
Sun Scorched laughs, “Yeah, we like to say that Davis is one of those ‘good’ problems to have. But in all seriousness, my preference has been to keep Anthony at his natural position of power forward. There’s no question this is becoming a guard-heavy league and that legitimate centers are becoming harder to find, but so too are franchise power forwards.”
Taken 1st overall in the 2012 CSL draft, the front office for the Pelicans has been attempting to find long-term running mates for the 20 year old Davis. They may have just accomplished that.
Per league sources, the Pelicans and Rockets have come to a verbal agreement centered around Ryan Anderson and Omer Asik. Details of the trade are yet to be confirmed and the league office still needs to approve the transaction, but that seems to be merely a formality at this point.
“We’re very excited to acquire Omer. He brings size, rebounding and defense to our team and he’s on a great contract for two more years. Financially, we retain a lot of flexibility moving forward as well.”
Asik, signed away from the Bulls two years ago, has become somewhat duplicative in Houston since the arrival of Dwight Howard. Further, Houston’s acquisition of Ryan Anderson pairs the very successful Magic front court duo of Anderson and Howard together again in a move many agree makes far too much sense.
“I’m thrilled to get to play with Dwight again and to earn a starting role in Houston.” Ryan Anderson said. “GM Sun Scorched sat me down and asked me if this was a move I was comfortable with and, after Dwight called me to convince me we had a legitimate chance at a title, paired together again, I agreed.”
Interestingly, in a league where players’ emotions are often and after thought, the Pelicans have seemingly gone out of their way to establish good will with exiting players seeking new or expanded roles.
“It’s important to our organization that we treat these men as not only basketball players, but as individuals that have family and friends that depend on them. This is, after all, just a job and not the most important thing in life.”
One would certainly hope that this approach yields both good will around the league and results, but only time will dictate the later.
“Of course good will is important. At this point, we project to have roughly $20 million to spend in this upcoming free agency period and we plan on utilizing that appropriately. We want players interested in joining something substantial, something meaningful here in New Orleans to understand that winning is an important part of our culture, but so too is comradery and perspective. I think people respond positively to that, and it doesn’t cost us a dime.”
As of this moment, sources speculate that veteran Raja Bell will get the nod to lace up as a starter. Our best guess as to the new New Orleans lineup?
PG - Jrue Holiday (6-3, 185) / Aaron Brooks (6-1, 161)
SG - Raja Bell (6-5, 215) / Anthony Morrow (6-5, 210)
SF - Tyreke Evans (6-6, 219) / Lance Thomas (6-8, 225)
PF - Anthony Davis (6-10, 222) / Jeff Withey (7-0, 222)
C - Omer Asik (7-1, 255) / Jason Smith (7-0, 240)
2020, 2023, 2027, 2035
