Good Trade Partners for a Westbrook Move

(July 4 2016)  By: Efraim Graber

Since Kevin Durant chose the Golden State Warriors as his new team, the Thunder need to counteract that move. They have already expressed interest in moving Westbrook for the right price. The reason to move him is because now that Durant is gone, Westbrook's chances of staying have slimmed immensely. Here are 2 teams that make sense for Russell and for the Thunder franchise.

Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers would have no reason to keep D'Angelo Russell, so sending him in the trade is a no brainer. Lou Williams is going to have to be sent as an incentive as well. There is no way the Lakers give up Julius Randle or Brandon Ingram in this trade. In addition a first round pick will round out this trade. The Thunder could make a quick turn around by builing around Oladipo and Russell. Obviously there would be other players involved in the deal to make the salaries work.

New Orleans Pelicans - The Pelicans have less
up and comers to offer in this trade. Buddy hield would probably have to go along with Jrue Holiday and a first round pick. This would leave the Pelicans with Westbrook, Evans, Pondexter, Hill and Anthony Davis as the starters. They would probably have to absorb the contract of one of the Thunder bigs.

Top Five: Landing Spots for Kevin Love

(June, 9th 2016) By: Ira Barasch

It’s time to face an ugly truth, which everyone has accepted except the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Love himself. The experiment has failed. In 152 games played for the Cavs, Love had averaged only 16.2ppg compared to the 26.1 the year before. He never truly found his niche in the offense. His game had dramatically declined, yet he’s still only 27 years old. Finding a place where he fits the system rather than the other way around is key for bringing back his drive and determination. Putting him on a younger team is also ideal, seeing as he can feel like more of a focal point in the offense while providing guidance for younger teammates. Granted, his contract situation isn’t the best, but with the cap rising the next two season teams should be less cautious to take on money for a legitimate star. With that being said let’s take a look at the five best spots for him to be traded this offseason.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers had their worst season in franchise history this past year. The drama surrounding the locker room and the constant coverage of Kobe Bryant’s last season stagnated the development of the young players on the roster. Coming into a new season with the second overall pick in the draft they have a great chance to right the ship. Adding a legitimate star to mentor and become the focal point of the offense would be a great help, and this is where Love enters. The second pick would probably go a long way to helping this trade, and helping this once great franchise return to the playoffs





Boston Celtics

This has been rumored for a while, and it definitely makes sense. The Celtics are on the cusp of becoming a power in the Eastern Conference, making the playoffs the past two years, their rebuild has been swift and effective. Aided by smart trades under the leadership of Danny Ainge and with the next big coach in Brad Stevens this team can utilize Kevin Love better than most teams on this list. The Celtics have the picks to make this trade happen, and with Isaiah Thomas as the floor general, Love would have a young, legitimate, point guard together with a young team to be able to compete in a weak conference for years

New York Knicks

Admittedly this is a longshot, yet it makes too much sense to pass up on. LeBron James is frustrated, wanting to bring a title to Cleveland for the first time in the Cavs history. He has a very close friend in a similar situation by the name of Carmelo Anthony. Calling up Melo in the offseason and asking to waive his no trade clause and come to Cleveland isn’t so far-fetched, and they have the perfect player for the Knicks in return, Kevin Love. A tandem of Love and budding superstar Kristaps Porzingis should make Knick fans excited, especially now that Jeff Hornacek is the head coach seeing as the faster tempo would help his game reach heights not seen in years if ever. Adding a point guard in free agency would not only a scary team with the pick and roll, but a legitimate playoff contender for years. This is a win win trade for both teams.

Miami Heat

With Chris Bosh questionable to return to the court due to blood clots, the heat must start to try and look for his replacement. While Love has less explosiveness than Bosh, he is a good shooter, passer, and can space the floor just as well. Again sticking in the weaker conference will help him, as well as having very solid pieces around him in Dwayne Wade, Loul Deng, Justice Winslow, and good point guard in Goran Dragic. The heat would be a dark horse to make it out of the East and to the Finals.

New Orleans

Again this a longshot, but just the idea of Love being paired with Anthony Davis should make basketball fans giddy with excitement. Davis is in desperate need of a teammate he can count on to help him realize his true potential. Adding Love into the mix, together with Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans, would give the Pelicans a solid core of players to go toe to toe with any team in the stacked Western Conference for years.

SIGN SETH CURRY

(July, 20th 2015) By: Efraim Graber

In the name of all that is holy on this earth, Dell Demps, the GM of the Pelicans had better sign Seth Curry. Reason one is because his name is Curry. Reason two is because he has averaged 26 points in summer league. Usually players  that can average 26 points in summer league, can average decent NBA numbers.

He's also not being one dimensional. Shooting, driving, and making threes. He's doing it in every way. So I beg you Pelicans, don't give him up and look like absolute fools.

- EVERY PELICANS FAN EVER

Top 5: Young up and coming teams

(June, 23rd 2015) By: Ira Barasch

  Since the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship with such a young team, lets look at other teams who seem to be gearing up with young players and may be primed for a deep playoff run in the near future. 

Honorable mentions: The Charlotte Hornets (33 – 49) The Boston Celtics (40 – 42) The Minnesota Timberwolves (16 – 66) 

5. The Orlando Magic: After a breakout year from point guard Elfrid Payton, the magic have added another piece to their already slowly growing arsenal. Along with Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vučević their young roster is growing more and more talented. The upcoming draft is crucial to add another piece, look for the magic to be on the rise. 

4. The Utah Jazz: After going 38 – 44 this past season the jazz have started to climb out of the cellar. With Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, and Gordon Heyward leading the way with young players in Dante Exum and Trey Burke still developing, this team is loaded with talent. Also a very crucial upcoming draft for them. 

3. The Washington Wizards: John Wall. Need I say more? Ok fine, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter Jr., happy now? This team made a decent playoff run this past season thanks to veteran leaders such as Paul Pierce, Nene and with Marcin Gortat also having a nice season. Expect this team to keep on improving and starting to cause some chaos in the Eastern Conference. 

2. The Milwaukee Bucks: This team just keeps getting more and more intriguing. We haven't seen much out of Jabari Parker, but he seems to be a dominant big man. Together with Giannis Antetokounmpo (A.K.A the 'Greek Freak') and Michael Carter – Williams they have a young core that just keeps improving. Don't be surprised if this team becomes a staple in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. 

1. The New Orleans Pelicans: Ladies and gentleman, Anthony Davis has arrived. This kid has “future MVP” written all over him. His backup in Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday are not to be taken lightly either. This team is legitimately only a few pieces away from a title, so expect to be hearing their name a lot, because they're not going anywhere.