THE FLATS – Is Jose Alvarado a better fit in the Pelicans’ starting lineup? … More trade talk for Thaddeus Young, Josh Okogie and Derrick Favors as deadline approaches … James Banks III actually is traded in the G League … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IS ALVARADO A BETTER FIT IN PELICANS’ STARTING LINEUP?
The New Orleans Pelicans have won three in a row and have finally been getting contributions from their bench.
Things changed when Jose Alvarado started getting regular minutes, as he provides a spark on both ends with his hustle and ability to make plays.
The team also rallies around him, which you love to see, and his play, along with the recent surge of Jaxson Hayes, has been a big part of the Pels passing the Trail Blazers for the final spot in the play-in tournament.
Without Zion Williamson or a real point guard, the Pelicans have mostly relied on Brandon Ingram to initiate the offense, which has worked well at times, but the offense has been down overall.
This is why some fans believe Jose Alvarado might be a better fit with the starting unit than Devonte’ Graham, who has always played off the ball.
Name something better than 90 seconds of @alvaradojose15 mic’d up 🤣 pic.twitter.com/2aBl6eCWNd
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 7, 2022
Every Jose Alvarado steal this season. pic.twitter.com/yxYhUiddUr
— The Pelicans Wave (@thepelicanswave) February 4, 2022
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ALVARADO AND PATRICK BEVERLY
There are very few players in the league that have the grit and grind that Patrick Beverley has. The Pelicans got themselves one such gem when they landed the undrafted rookie – Jose Alvarado this off-season.
The two-way contract holder for New Orleans has been one of the most efficient guards in the league, especially since getting the chance to start for his team last week against Joel Embiid and the Sixers.
Alvarado’s per 36 minute stats are over 14 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 0.7 turnovers, 3.5 steals, and a +5 plus-minus. Those 8.5+ assists per turnover and 3.5 steals per game would make him an elite point guard in the league.
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BIRMINGHAM TRADES BANKS TO TEXAS
The Birmingham Squadron announced Wednesday that the team has acquired a first-round pick (from Capital City via Salt Lake City and Maine) in the 2022 NBA G League Draft in a trade with the Texas Legends. In exchange, the Squadron have traded center James Banks III and their own 2022 third-round draft pick.
Banks played in 24 games with the Squadron this season, averaging 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.7 steals in 18.3 minutes per game.
Prior to joining the Squadron, Banks played overseas in Israel with Hapoel Beer Sheva, averaging 5.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 17 games. He then joined the New Orleans Pelicans in training camp, where he was later allocated to the Squadron. Banks split his collegiate career between the University of Texas (2016-18) and Georgia Tech (2018-20).
We’ve acquired @1jamesbanks thru a trade with the @GleagueSquadron. Welcome back to the Lone Star State, James! 🤠 pic.twitter.com/C3FnTg6X4v
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) February 9, 2022
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LATEST TRADE TALK SURROUNDING THADDEUS YOUNG
The Timberwolves and Suns are among the teams that have expressed interest in trading for veteran Spurs forward Thaddeus Young, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Young, who was sent from the Bulls to the Spurs in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade in the offseason, had a nice year in Chicago last season, averaging 12.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 4.3 APG in 68 games (24.3 MPG).
However, he was essentially just a salary-matching placeholder in that DeRozan deal and hasn’t been used much in San Antonio this season. His averages of 6.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 14.2 MPG in 26 games are career lows.
Still, the Spurs are hopeful they’ll be able to find a trade partner willing to give up at least one draft pick for Young, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who hears that San Antonio and Minnesota have discussed a deal that would feature Taurean Prince. Scotto has heard the same thing, writing that the two teams have had exploratory talks about a trade that would send Prince and a second-round pick to the Spurs for Young.
Young closed last Thursday’s 112-95 loss to the Heat with seven points (3-4 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in 24 minutes.
Young was called upon to inherit additional load while Jakob Poetlt is in concussion protocol, resulting in his most paying time since mid-November.
Thaddeus Young is expected to reach a buyout agreement if he’s not moved, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/P526KQOU12
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) February 8, 2022
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REPORTED TRADE INTEREST IN JOSH OKOGIE
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype notes that the Utah Jazz after help from defensive-minded wings. The Wolves have a player who fits that exact role that has not been a consistent member of the rotation in Josh Okogie. He’s one of four names listed by Scotto as targets of the Jazz.
Okogie’s rookie contract expires at the end of the season, making him a restricted free agent. While this has been the most disappointing season of Okogie’s career to date, he can still function as a lockdown defender depending on the matchup.
The outside shot has never materialized. For his career, Okogie has shot a paltry 30 percent on corner 3-point attempts and 27.4 percent overall from deep. If he could simply shoot something approaching league-average from the corner, Okogie would be far more playable as more than just a fringe rotation piece.
More from DunkingwithWolves.com
Josh Okogie’s First Day… Josh Okogie’s Last Day 😢 pic.twitter.com/tjtiVlkzCJ
— Spongewolf (@bbuckets16) February 10, 2022
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COULD DERRICK FAVORS BE MOVING?
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, a few players are said to be on the verge of being bought out. Derrick Favors, a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is one of those players.
While Derrick Favors isn’t the ideal choice for many teams, his 6 foot 9′ height allows him to be more than adequate. This season, he’s only playing a little part for the Thunder, which is fine since he’ll be doing the same thing for many other teams that decide to take a chance on him. Favors will not be asked to play more than 25 minutes per night for any team; instead, they will be looking for a serviceable player who can chew up minutes for them.
Three teams who could be interested in Derrick Favors if he’s bought outhttps://t.co/zxOfEQgpo8
— Sixers Nation (@SixersNationCP) February 10, 2022
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