Moses Brown's dunks are delightful to watch
The New Orleans Pelicans have known since the season began that Zach Collins wasn't their long-term solution at backup center. Therefore the team has made it one of their priorities to acquire one. And with the squad reeling from a 3-9 swoon recently that has seen them drop four games below .500, the time to make a shakeup is now. And the right opportunity came along when they've announced the sending of Donte DiVicenzo, A.J. Griffin, and the Portland Trailblazers' 2033 2nd round pick to the Washington Wizards for 24 year old big man Moses Brown.
Brown is lauded as a true center at 7'2, 241 lbs with solid rebounding, strong shotblocking, some scoring ability, excellent intangibles, and prior to this season's slump, a respectable inside shooter. "He's definitely having a down year, but when you look at his career numbers, he's normally much better at conversion and that should continue," a scout said. He profiles comparably to Collins, with Collins the better on-ball defense, foul drawing, and Brown the slightly better rebounder, and significantly better scorer and far greater game intelligence.
There's another trade rumored to be forthcoming at the deadline that will further transform things, but for now, it's looking like the following lineup will play ball.
PG Anfernee Simons (26)
SG Tyrese Maxey (22)
SF Olivier-Maxence Prosper (21)
PF Victor Wembanyama (20)
CE Moses Brown (24)
6th Moses Moody (PG/SG)
7th Aaron Wiggins (SF)
8th Zach Collins (CE)
9th Mouhamed Gueye (PF)
10th Alessandro Pajola (PG/SG)
11th Dikembe Dixson (SF)
12th Chuma Okeke (SG/SF/PF)
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Josh Minott (D-League)
Bones Hyland
Eric Paschall
Although the second Moses has been heavily criticized for his poor performances since arriving from Utah, Moody was a difference maker in the 102-91 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves to snap a losing streak, as he was 6/8, 2/2 from behind the arc for 14 points, 6 assists, and 1 turnover. Leading the way against his former team in the critical victory was Anfernee Simons with 30 points, 6 rebounds, a block, and a steal, as New Orleans played exceptional defense all night long - most notably in the third quarter when they held the defending champions to just 11 points.
"We definitely have to snap back," said a New Orleans official. "We've played terribly against a rough schedule, and that's opened the door for the Utah Jazz to sneak back into the play-in picture. So this is a move designed to strengthen us both this season and in the future. Like this offseason, we now won't have to worry about finding a capable backup to Wemby."
