Louisville/New Orleans

[Alex James]

New Orleans Trades:

74 Morris Peterson - $6,212,960 - $6,641,440
72 Darren Collison - $1,266,120 - $1,361,040 - $1,455,960 - $2,319,344 - $3,342,174
69 Marcus Thornton - $457,888 - $762,195
Incoming Salary: $0
Outgoing Salary: $7,936,968
New Team Salary: $62,967,341

for

Louisville Trades:

1st rounder '10
Incoming Salary: $7,936,968
Outgoing Salary: $0
New Team Salary: $37,591,423

[Phil Jackson]

wow this is alot to give up for a 1st round pick, even if that pick ends up being John Wall.

[Mike Woodson]

If Stallions do this trade.....I think they win this.....

[Smarty Jones]

I accept this trade. I lose what should be a pretty high draft pick, that's hard. I pick up Collison and Thornton 2 young guards. Plus another veteran presence in Mo Pete. Here's hoping my pick doesn't turn into Wall or Turner. If NOLA gets Wall or Turner it will definetly be a good trade for him. And Ill be kicking myself for doing this.

[Phil Jackson]

I accept, i think NOH overpaid but it isnt unrealistic IMO.

[Alex James]

To explain, Morris Peterson is not a part of our future. The Hornets are happy to be freed of his contrast. We will not be effected by his leaving present or future, aside from additional cap space. Darren Collison is a nice prospect, though will never play significant minutes with CP3 in New Orleans. Thornton has the potential to be solid, though solid will not complement CP3 to win a championship, and that's our interest in New Orleans. New Orleans moves into a position to potentially draft, or acquire that complement.

This one benefits Louisville too though, like Mr. Jones, and the others, indicated. The Stallions acquire a SG that can start on an expansion, and two potential future starters.

A part of why this transaction works for both is Louisville is building a foundation, and Collison and Thornton can be a part of that. New Orleans is looking for a single complementing wing for CP3, West, and Emeka. I am confident that Louisville's 2010 First puts New Orleans in the best position to acquire that complement. If Louisville has a solid season in D2, New Orleans drafts a player of the level of Collison, and the move becomes very close to a lateral one. Of course, New Orleans risks Marcus Thornton, though he is a risk I will accept to contend; if Louisville has the kind of season one can realistically expect of an expansion, New Orleans move into a position to contend. This is the definition of a low risk/high reward move for the Hornets, and if accepted I believe the future will indicate that.

[Josh Barber]

I'll accept

[Michael Jordan]

I know I'm not on the trade comittee but I wanted to put in my 2 cents either way...

I agree with New Orleans thinking here. If I were in their shoes, I would make this trade 100%. Mo Pete is definitely a bad contract more than a good player. He may be able to start for an expansion franchise but you won't find him as a starter on any playoff caliber team. The 2 young guys are just that, young guys. They have good potential but will they really be producing on a starter level in the next couple of seasons? Maybe, but I don't think so. A top 5 pick in this upcoming draft will probably net a player who can start and put up decent numbers immediately.

Don't get me wrong. As an expansion franchise, you don't have many assets to deal so if you are going to put something together, you sometimes have to deal a pick. I get that. I actually think this is a pretty good trade for both sides, but I wouldn't have done it if I were the Stallions.

Good job getting the deal done though gentlemen.

[Ian Noble]

I'm uncomfortable with this trade. I don't think Louisville would trade away it's pick for so little. I'd like to hear from the rest of the Trade Committee first.

[Pat Riley]

Thought id add my two bits.... Louisville, would u potentially trade a derrick rose for those 3 players? ... because I think that is the way this trade needs to be looked at...
JB

[Alvin Hendrix]

That pick will wound up being anywhere from the 1st - 6th pick (there's also a pretty big chance that it'll drop all the way down to the 8th-10th spot). Currently, top prospects include: Wall, Turner, Favors, Cousins that i'm sure will all be gone by the 5th pick.

Overall It's a bit too much, but I guess NOH's doing this because he lacks a Dominant big man and wants to take a gamble. Well if he's LUCKY he could end up with Cousins or Favors. However, based on this bit of LUCK alone and a larger uncertainity, I'll have to decline.

PS If its Mo Pete along with either Collision OR Thornton it would be legit IMO. I would however, advise the stallions to hold on to it. Being an expansion team, you'll need this crucial pick to draft someone you can build around.

[Alex James]

This is interesting. A few expressed a hesitation to accept because the trade favors New Orleans. Others expressed a hesitation because the trade favors Louisville. I respect the decision of the committee, but if the committee can't actually conclude as to why this transaction is unrealistic, or who this transaction even favors, there's an issue here.

The truth is this is a balanced transaction, though an intriguing one because of the ambiguity surrounding the draft choice. If the choice is 1 or 2, New Orleans is favored. If the choice is lower, New Orleans has basically lost Marcus Thornton and Morris Peterson for free. If the choice is in between, the transaction is as well. There is a potential for a high reward for both teams, though each team comes away with young talent, aside from the result, and is far from ruined.

As far as the position of the choice, that absolutely cannot be predicted. Sure, Louisville is an expansion, though there are five others as well. And Louisville is playing in a very weak Division 2. That is why this transaction is controversial, both teams are gambling, and the result will be interesting. This isn't another Hickson for Rush. At the same time, I cannot see, aside from who is favored, how the league is tarnished as a result. This isn't Roy for Kobe. There is a reward for both teams, and there is a loss, though in the end, the result will not define the futures of the respective teams or the league.

[Zee Low]

Well said, Alex!

[Alvin Hendrix]

Well there are 3 other trade committees who can decide to accept. For me, its still going to be a no. Sorry guys

[Mike Woodson]

Wow......Good Job, Alex.....

[Phil Jackson]

I think Alex has a point, I personally favor NOH but if it is a split decision as to who is even favored isn't it a fair trade by default? I can see that there is solid logic behind the decision from both sides and it is surely a gamble but i would not say unrealistic and for that I accept.

[Smarty Jones]

Will the expansion teams even be placed above the other teams in the rookie draft?
I have drafted for now in my expansion draft. I have tried to compile a team that will compete to win division 2. I know those are some lofty goals. But thats what Im shooting for. If I end up doing that, then my pick would only be a mid 1st rounder.

[Ian Noble]

Alex is a smooth talker alright I'm still really torn on this trade though. On the one hand I now think it hugely favors New Orleans, on the other hand I genuinely would like not to discourage Alex James and the Hornets for the dedication and time they've put into selling us the idea that it's a fair trade, even though I don't think it is.

Louisville's lineup is thus:

PG Derek Fisher 75
SG
SF Jamario Moon 73
PF Drew Gooden 76
C Brad Miller 79

6 Kurt Thomas 75
7 Tim Thomas 74
8 Juwan Howard 70

Darren Collison has done quite well in his rookie season this year, but he's not anything to get hugely excited about in my opinion. Most of the point guards in the league would excel given NOH's real-life offensive system that's usually based solely around Chris Paul, but he's been injured and therefore Collison's been given the reigns somewhat. Marcus Thornton is a 6-4 shooting guard and Morris Peterson is the epitome of mediocre, they both have impressive offensive arsenals, but not much else.

I don't feel that the Stallions will have enough firepower to succeed even with Collison, Thornton and Peterson, even though they're in Division 2. I think this trade condemns them to one extra year of cellar-dwelling on top of whatever progress they may make otherwise. If I were in their shoes I'd be doing the sensible thing and judging my regular season record before moving something as potentially franchise building as a 1st round pick.

The best way to build a franchise is by acquiring one or two genuine quality pieces and building around them, all this trade does is add some salad inbetween the bland ham-sandwich of the Louisville roster, lol. It's not a recipe for success unless Collison or Thornton really prove they're on another level or Louisville somehow starts succeeding in Division 2.

[Smarty Jones]

If the trade committee thinks that this should not go through, even Boston the creator of this thing. Then you guys are probably right. I was pushing for it to go through, but if you guys do not feel comfortable with it, then why I am going to sit here and fight my cause? It's not real life and only a game. I think it is a good trade, but you guys do not. So, I am okay with that. If it does not, then there will be different days and different trades.

[Alvin Hendrix]

In all fairness and maybe for your own good Smarty, keep the pick. Drafting a player worth building around should be your priority. I personally would do that

[Ian Noble]

Trade Committee Summary so far:

Alvin Hendrix (LAC) - Reject
Ian Noble (BOS) - unknown
Phil Jackson (NYK) - Accept
Bobbie Knight (CHI) - Accept
Josh Barber (NJN) - Accept

I've just messaged the final TC member (George Karl (DEN)) to get his opinion.

[Ian Noble]

I would probably have to give a Reject if pressed on the matter, which I am, lol.

Absolutely. No team would trade those kind of guys for what you're doing. The thing is that you don't know if you are. My reason for Rejecting now, I suppose, is that you're trading away the possibility of it even happening, which is probably more than you can expect with the roster you'd be left with.

I feel bad, Alex James has made a brilliant case and he's clearly a passionate and dedicated GM for the Hornets. It's unfortunate, but more than that I think we need to be extra careful with the expansion teams. They are clearly more succeptible to dooming themselves to several years of boredom than any of the other teams.

[Alvin Hendrix]

This is a new league format so maybe some of the GMs have yet to fully grasp the idea of an expansion team. Most, if not all expansion teams are without a proper franchise player and the idea of the Stallions probably missing out on one is scary. Well,I would implore the other members of the committee take a second and re-evaluate the situation. Of course, I can't change all of your minds alone it's worth a shot.

[Ian Noble]

May 13, 2010 14:22:27 GMT Ian Noble said:

Trade Committee Summary so far:

Alvin Hendrix (LAC) - Reject
Ian Noble (BOS) - Reject
Phil Jackson (NYK) - Accept
Bobbie Knight (CHI) - Accept
Josh Barber (NJN) - Accept

Changed mine to Reject.

I'm glad the discussion on this trade is so immense. It shows people care about their teams and the league as a whole.

[George Karl]

i reject. its close though....NOH ends up with 8 millions relief and a high first rounder...little bit too much...(i would have accepted if petersons contract is expiring)

[Ian Noble]

Well, there isn't a 7th Trade Committee member and it's split 3 vs 3.

Unless there's any objections I'll give myself dictator rights and call it a reject. Louisville's expressed some serious misgivings about the deal, both in this thread and in PMs to me, since this trade started coming under intense scrutiny.

Louisville I'd like a final word from you since I'm pretty sure I know where New Orleans stands on this deal.

[George Karl]

NOH, maybe add your own first rounder, which might be around 15...exclude thornton and i accept.

[Smarty Jones]

In the beginning I really liked this. I still like Collison and Thornton. They are the future in New Orleans. New Orleans already has Okafor, West, and Paul, though. If I had some All Stars the way he does, maybe this deal would have worked better. After some thought and consideration; in the end, my team is only an expansion team. Unless Im getting Durant, Westbrook, Rose, or Evans ; ) I probably should not be trading the biggest asset that my newly formed team has.

[Ian Noble]

I hope Alex James can forgive us on this one. I admire his endless enthusiasm and I feel we're pissing on it a bit.

This thread's been a brilliant example of people caring about the league and the health of the weak expansion teams. It's good to see.

That being said, it's time to give this trade a formal burial. I hereby commit this trade to the rejected section, may it rest in peace.

[Phil Jackson]

hmmm, I think i am beginning to change my mind on this. It is an interesting deal and the unknown of the pick seems to be the problem and if it turns out to be a John Wall type franchise player I would reject based on the impact he could have on a team. Whereas if it ends up being say the tenth pick then the team would get a solid starter, maybe and all-star, and then I would accept the trade. The tie-breaker seems to be the doubts Louisville is having. It is his trade and if he wants to reject then his opinion should matter more than anyone else's on the trade committee or otherwise. So I vote whatever Smarty decides.