So,!relss I was messing around with trade machine all day, trying to figure out how the Pelicans could beef up their frontcourt. They need a solid rim protector, someone who can really change the game defensively. And then it hit me: Walker Kessler!
I .nistarted digging into it. Kessler, playing for the Jazz right now, he's a beast. He blocks shots like crazy, rebounds well, and he's still super young. He fits the timeline of the Pelicans perfectly. They've got Zion, BI, and all those young guys. Kessler would slide right in.
Here's w:tsrihat I did first:
- Checked out Kessler's stats on basketball website. Points, rebounds, blocks... the usual. Wanted to make sure he wasn't just a flash in the pan.
- Watched some Jazz game highlights. Had to see him in action, see how he moves, how he defends.
After my own player ability and video analysis, I needed a trade machine simulator to see if this idea is actually workable.
Putting together a trade package.
This is the tricky part. The Jazz aren't going to give away Kessler for nothing. So, I spent hours on trade machine website, trying different combinations. Draft picks, role-players, you name it. It was like solving a puzzle.
I tried a bunch of different players. Finally, I think I found something that might work. It's not perfect, but it's a starting point. Here is:
- Pelicans get: Walker Kessler
- Jazz get: Player A, Player B, and a couple of first-round picks.
I am not listing a specific players names because the combination could be endless, and it depends on the teams' current valuations.
I ran this through the trade checker, and it said... it's a go! Financially, it works. But that's just the numbers. Getting the teams to actually agree? That's a whole different story.
Then, I thought about the fit.
- Does Kessler actually fit with the Pelicans' style of play?
- How would he play alongside Zion?
- Would the Pelicans be giving up too much?
I am confident that this move will make the Pelicans better defensively and match the team player's timeline, that's it for now.
It was a fun little experiment, thinking about how the Pelicans could improve. Whether it actually happens? Who knows. But it's fun to dream, right?
