Waiters, Jordan Coming to 'Nawlins!

by **Rizzo (NY)** Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:13 pm

Waiters, Jordan Coming to 'Nawlins! 3442

Question: You just won four straight games and are finally starting to gel, what do you do?

Answer: Shake it up!

The running joke around the CSL is that GM Rizzo very rarely pulls the trigger on a trade. Before today, the only deal made by the Pelicans since he took over was a draft day deal that sent Austin Rivers to Sacramento for the rights to draft Michigan State guard Gary Harris.

Today’s deal was much bigger in magnitude.

In a stunning announcement, the Pelicans have decided to ship out reigning Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon along with Ryan Anderson and Caron Butler to the Cleveland Cavaliers for injured guard Dion Waiters, shotblocking phenom DeAndre Jordan and the steady-handed Jose Calderon. The Pelicans will also receiver a 2015 2nd round pick in the deal.

The hardest part of this trade for the Pelicans was biting the bullet and waiting on Dion Waiters to heal up. After suffering a torn MCL on February 20, 2014, he is still on the mend and will be out of action for at least another three months. But once he comes back to health, Rizzo is salivating over the idea of pairing Waiters with Marcus Smart in the backcourt. Two defensive studs that will drive opposing guards crazy would make even rh0xxy proud!

Another missing link on this roster was a second legitimate rebounder to put next to Anthony Davis. Enter DeAndre Jordan! Averaging 13.6 points, 9.1 boards and 3.3 blocks per game, Jordan will pair up with Davis to give New Orleans two scary paint defenders to play behind their defensive hounds on the perimeter. Jordan’s 3.3 blocks per game currently ranks 7th in the league while Davis’ 3.9 per game is 3rd and just one-tenth of a point behind the top two shot blockers in the league: John Henson and Andrew Bogut.

A defensive identity is definitely taking form in New Orleans. The Pelicans are looking to bide some time while waiting for Waiters to heal up. Here’s to hoping we can stay in the playoff hunt and Waiters can be the extra boost we need to make a run this season.

by **Myles (SAS)** Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:16 am

Interestingly, DJ is your center in both leagues now. I like that you shipped out Gordon and capitalized on his value, and got multiple pieces that fit.

by **Rizzo (NY)** Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:45 am

Myles (SAS) wrote:Interestingly, DJ is your center in both leagues now. I like that you shipped out Gordon and capitalized on his value, and got multiple pieces that fit.

The reason DJ fits in on both teams so well us because has a dynamic PF to play next to. You could say my Big Three in both leagues are virtually identical but Smart being able to play PG alleviates things for my Pelicans.

by Higrade (LAC) Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:50 am

Yeah I'm not looking forward to this one bit, but you did great.

Smart-Waiters-Davis-DeAndre is just way way too nasty, really makes no difference whatsoever who plays the 3. IMO once fully healthy, this team is the favorite in the West.

by Querejeta (WAS) Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:36 am

The one who will benefit more from this trade will be Gary Harris, he has some months to prove him as a good player.

I like this trade for NO, not a fan of Eric Gordon at all but maybe it works for CLE.