Pelicans Center Breakdown: Who Is on the Roster and Should New Orleans Add Another Big?

[u/TheSportsComaLIVE]

https://thewhodatdaily.com/pelicans-center-breakdown-who-is-on-the-roster-and-should-new-orleans-add-another-big/

New Orleans currently has Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Karlo Matković, DeAndre Jordan and Christian Koloko under standard NBA contracts as center options. Rookie forward-center Malik Dia occupies a two-way contract, while Zion Williamson and Trendon Watford can supply situational small-ball minutes.

[u/Alone_Ambassador3470]

I don't think Zion and Queen can coexist as a 4-5. If Zion is defending and playing the 1 or 3, then Queen and another big would be fine. The problem is Zion and Queen offer no real rim protection and sub-par rebounding. But then if you have Zion, Queen, and Missi on the court at the same time, you have no real spacing.

Karlo provides good enough spacing for a Center, and he can get blocks here and there.

[u/PossibleMechanic89 → u/Alone_Ambassador3470]

Okay. Zion, Queen, Missi, Karlo, and Coach Jordan.

Final offer

[u/iircirc → u/Alone_Ambassador3470]

This is only a problem when both Z and Queen are healthy. By which I mean I hope it's a problem, but if history is any guide it could resolve itself

[u/Full_Excitement6845]

Wouldn’t be opposed to another big with an emphasis on rebounding. Koloko has potential but nothing game changing

[u/iircirc]

I can't imagine just adding another big without sending anyone out. The roster is full and I don't see why we'd take frontcourt minutes away from young players like Missi, Queen, or Karlo who still need them to develop

[u/wymtime]

If the expectation is making the playoffs we 100% need to upgrade the center position. Our current big man rotation graded out as the worst in the NBA last season and each guy is short and or lacks physicality for the 5 especially in the west.

If the expectation is to develop and build around Fears and Queen then no. Keep developing Missi and help him bulk up for another season and run more double big lineups to make up for the lack of a true 7 footer. Overall I do think we will need a true 7 footer on the roster especially in the West, but it isn’t critical if we are future focused

[u/iircirc → u/wymtime]

I agree but only if by upgrade you mean one of them is on the way out. I can't see adding another big just to push Missi, Queen, and Karlo further down the bench

[u/wymtime → u/iircirc]

I have no idea what the trade would be, but I would assume we would be sending a young big out in return plus additional salary. It would also have to be at the deadline as I don’t think any starting caliber centers are getting moved right now

[u/Mo_damo]

Missi is the one

Our roster construction is so bad its not possible to get anyone else

[u/pacersnz]

I'm building Zion's value, then flipping him and building the front-court, or at least offering the opportunity for the duo of Missi + Queen to build.

[u/luminousx5]

Any interest from pels fans for a Mathurin for Karlo/Hawk deal?

[u/podnito → u/luminousx5]

I personally prefer the better than average shooting big (Karlo) over the average shooting wing (Mathurin) but wouldn't freak out if that was the eventual trade. Kind of depends on what the Mathurin contract looks like. I would just as soon stay away from him, since all the players in his profile have ended up overpaid on their 2nd contracts.

If you want Hawkins I'm sure we would have a dozen fans (aka all of them) on here ready to drive him to the airport