‘Pre-Existing Relationship’ Exists Between Blazers and Pelicans, Raptors ‘Frustrating to Deal With’

By Andrew Bancroft June 18, 2023 29 mins read 283 Views

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Action Network’s Matt Moore drops a boatload of trade intel surrounding the Blazers, Pelicans, Hornets, and Raptors ahead of the NBA Draft.
The dream of Zion Williamson wearing a Portland Trail Blazers uniform is a live possibility.

In an extensive trade intel report released this morning, Action Network’s Matt Moore said the New Orleans Pelicans are still pursuing a trade up in Thursday’s NBA Draft to acquire Scoot Henderson. The pursuit puts them in position to trade with either the Charlotte Hornets or Blazers, who hold the No. 2 pick and No. 3 pick, respectively.

In negotiations around the draft pick between Portland and New Orleans, Moore said a relationship forged between the franchises from a previous transaction would assist in getting a Williamson deal across the finish line.

There’s a pre-existing relationship between the Blazers and Pelicans’ front office after their deal two years ago sending CJ McCollum and Larry Nance to New Orleans. That helps grease wheels. Williamson is a big-swing, high-risk, high-reward play. This potential trade doesn’t solve the defensive issues with Lillard, but if the options are a discount with the Pelicans for Zion or paying through the entire nose for OG Anunoby, Zion seems like great value.

Moore said the Pelicans, along with any team looking to jump into the top three, are interested in Henderson, not forward Brandon Miller out of Alabama. Meanwhile, the Hornets have indicated they want to select Miller, but that position has “started to soften,” Moore wrote. This puts the Hornets and Pelicans in an interesting position at the negotiation table, one clouded by uncertainty.

If you’re the Pelicans, chasing Scoot, do you talk to Charlotte, who by all accounts is leaning towards Miller, given that GM Mitch Kupchak openly said they were looking for fit, and Henderson isn’t one with LaMelo Ball, the franchise cornerstone? Do you dare the Hornets to not take the guy they reportedly want and risk not getting Henderson in a Williamson deal?

If you’re Charlotte, does Zion Williamson alongside LaMelo move you closer to contention than the No.2 pick would, regardless of whether it’s Henderson or Miller?

In the midst of this mysterious mess, Moore presented an idea: A three-team trade between Portland, Charlotte and New Orleans that theoretically leaves everybody happy.

This is my own speculation entirely, but one has to wonder if there’s a potential three-way trade that sees Henderson end up in New Orleans, Zion in Portland, and the No.3 pick with the Hornets alongside compensation for moving down so they can still take Miller.

Aside from the Pelicans, Moore reported the Toronto Raptors are another team interested in trading up to acquire Henderson. If that move were to happen, Moore said it’s more likely Raptors forward Pascal Siakam is the centerpiece of Toronto’s trade package, rather than 3-and-D specialist OG Anunoby. However, the Toronto front office’s stinginess is starting to turn off suitors.

Speaking of Anunoby, there is a growing sense among executives who have called the Raptors (albeit with some caution) that Pascal Siakam may be easier to deal with than Anunoby currently. One savvy executive did mention that he felt that was a means to judge market value if and when the Raptors do decide to trade Anunoby. However, it’s fair to say front offices are pretty worn out on the attempts by Toronto to get “blood from a stone” as one executive put it at the deadline in any deal. Multiple sources have described the Raptors as frustrating to deal with. So why keep calling? “There are only 29 teams to work with.”

As of now, it appears the biggest stars Portland can get in a deal for its top pick are Williamson or Siakam, according to Moore at least. However, Moore said he expects the list of teams looking to move into the top three to “expand rapidly this week.”

It should also be noted, tucked into this large report, was a tidbit about the Washington Wizards hoping to trade Bradley Beal to the Blazers for the No. 3 pick.

The Wizards’ preferred target in Beal talks was the No.3 pick from Portland, but multiple league sources have indicated not just recently but consistently for months that Beal is not a player who would increase Lillard’s satisfaction with the franchise.

You can read Moore’s full report here.

References:

By: Conor Bergin
Title: ‘Pre-Existing Relationship’ Exists Between Blazers and Pelicans, Raptors ‘Frustrating to Deal With’
Sourced From: www.blazersedge.com/2023/6/18/23765274/portland-trail-blazers-pelicans-hornets-raptors-nba-draft-trades-scoot-zion-bradley-beal-lillard
Published Date: 06-18-2023

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Raptors win its first playoff series in their history?

Toronto beat New York 3-2 to win their first ever playoff series. This was the first time that Toronto had reached the Eastern Conference semifinals since Lenny Wilkens' tenure as head coach.

What was your favorite year with the Raptors?

The 2019 championship season was Toronto Raptors' best season. It was a thrilling and memorable season for the Raptors, marking the first time they won an NBA Championship in franchise history. The team posted a 58-24 record during the regular season, with Kawhi Leonard named Finals MVP. They defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games to take home the title.

2013 saw the Toronto Raptors replace Bryan Colangelo as general manager with MasaiUjiri. This would mark a new era in the franchise's history, which would see them rise to the top of the NBA.

Under Ujiri, the Raptors enjoyed a resurgence, reaching the playoffs in 2014 for the first time since 2008. They have won five Division titles since then. Their most successful regular season was in 2018. Ujiri also made an unorthodox but successful trade in that year, sending DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Raptors had an incredible 2019, winning their first conference championship, and reaching the NBA finals. They beat the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Ujiri has been an outstanding success with the Raptors and deserves to be credited for turning around the team's fortunes. Thanks to his leadership, the Raptors are now one of the best teams in the NBA and look poised to remain contenders for years to come.

The 2019 championship season will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best years in the Raptors' history.

Ujiri should and will continue to be focused on building a winning culture which supports the players and staff as we move forward. This team's future is bright if they continue to strive for excellence. The Toronto Raptors' 2019 championship season was a milestone. It is up to Ujiri, his team and their continued success to improve on this achievement.

What are the Canadian NBA teams?

The Toronto Raptors were the Canadian NBA's only team in 2001. From 1995 to 2001 the Vancouver Grizzlies had been a NBA team. However, they moved to Memphis to become the Memphis Grizzlies. Canada did have the Vancouver Grizzlies (and the Toronto Raptors) for a time, but there are no NBA teams in Canada. Despite the lack of an NBA team in Canada, Canadians are still avid basketball fans, and many make their way to the United States to catch games. The Toronto Raptors have been a famous team since their inception in 1995 and continue to draw large crowds for their home games at Scotiabank Arena. Each year, hundreds of Canadians travel to America for the NBA All-Star Weekend. Canada has more than one NBA team, with a population exceeding 38 million. Many North American basketball fans debate the possibility of having a second NBA team. The Toronto Raptors, Canada's only representative in the NBA, remain as such.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), a professional league of basketball, is located in Canada. The league has six teams from Canada, including the Fraser Valley Bandits (Abbotsford), Edmonton Stingers [Edmonton], Alberta], Guelph Nighthawks—Guelph. Ontario), Hamilton Honey Badgers—Hamilton. Ontario), Saskatchewan Rattlers—Saskatoon. Saskatchewan and the Niagara River Lions—St. Catharines. Ontario). The CEBL, Canada's only professional basketball league, is currently in operation.

From 2011 to 2020, there was a professional male basketball league called the National Basketball League of Canada. It included eight teams from Halifax and Moncton. Saint John. Cape Breton. Summerside. London. Windsor. Kitchener. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the NBLC ceased operation.

Canada has several junior basketball leagues. One example is the Canadian National Basketball League (CNB), which is a semi-professional men’s league that is based in Vancouver. CNB teams come from British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Canadian Elite Development League is another Canadian junior basketball league. It consists mainly of teams from the Greater Toronto Area. AC) as well as the Canadian Youth Basketball League. These leagues offer opportunities for young players to practice their skills in a supportive environment.

Statistics

Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in the new franchise". (en.wikipedia.org)
By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in the new franchise". (en.wikipedia.org)

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How To

How to get the Toronto Raptors from your location

Toronto Raptors games occur at Air Canada Centre (ACC) in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. TTC Metro system takes you to ACC. Union Station takes 30 minutes to reach ACC. Bay Street station is the nearest stop to ACC.

Bay street station is recommended if you want to reach ACC directly from Union Station. From there, you can follow the signs to ACC. If you arrive at ACC via another direction, please take the signs to Bay Street station.

Follow the signs for the ACC from Bay Street station.

Accessible to persons with disabilities, the venue is easily accessible. Special seating areas are available for people with disabilities. The ACC also provides sign language interpretation services.

The ACC does not charge a parking fee. However, street parking is limited.