callmened wrote:pelicans won't give him up. They just drafted him

I could think of at least three instances that rookies selected in the 1st round were traded: Drew Gooden by the Memphia Grizzlies, Thomas Robinson by the Sacramento Kings and Jordan Hill by our very own NY Knicks. What gives you the impression that it can't happen again?

TripleThreat wrote:The complication of acquiring anyone off of another roster on their rookie deal is their clock has begun to expire.

By the time you take in a player, have him integrate with your system/team/franchise/method of play, you might be into the players 3rd year, and this limits the window to best evaluate the player fully in terms of his future with your team.

Also he operates as an investment to his drafting franchise. They simply aren't jettisoning a nameless and faceless draft pick, but a player they've spent time and coaching and resources to be something.

He would also cost future draft assets ( Knicks have nothing else to give)

Knicks are better off focusing on acquiring draft assets, and then realizing that into players.

But it is not without it's precedent. Like I mentioned in a seperate post, there are at least 3 notable instances in recent history where former lottery picks were dealt in their rookie season (i.e. Drew Gooden, Thomas Robinson and Jordan Hill). And the circumstances they were dealt under are very similar to the ones the Pelicans find themselves in now i.e. a team woefully underperformimg that is desperate to show results in that same season. Couple that with Buddy's lackluster play and I could see them moving him, expecially when they have been adverse to drafting/developing players in the past (e.g. dealing Cole Aldrich with the 10th pick before finding out what he was really capable of).

Knicks67 wrote:What about O'Quinn? Maybe paired with Holiday and that is an immediate return and upgrade in two positions. They have been disappointed in Asik and perhaps they could use the addition of Justin to keep Jrue in New Orleans. It would give us a young Sg who has shown a lot of upside and really could become something great for us.

I'm still not sure whether Willy's defensive presence vertically will limit his ability to start. I don't have those same concerns with O'Quinn who I also view as a key cog to our youth movement. I'd be hesistant to give him up because of that fact. But for the sake of a better tank and a compelling return, I'd consider moving him....but would then push to see if Noah could be included as well.