Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 12:44pm

PELICANS PICK UP BIG MAN STOKES FROM MIAMI

The New Orleans Pelicans acquired power forward/center Jarnell Stokes and cash from the Miami Heat for a conditional 2nd-round draft pick in 2018.

What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
The young and injury-plagued Pelicans are clearly looking to the future here, and Stokes can be a part of it. He brings good toughness and possesses solid potential to eventually be a rotation regular big man in the NBA. While he's spent most of this season toiling in the D-League, Stokes is averaging over 20 points and 10 boards per game there this season and was named a D-League All-Star. This is a solid pickup by the Pelicans in return for helping the Heat cut some salary tax. Stokes has another year left after this on a very affordable contract.

What does it give the Miami Heat
The Heat is attempting to avoid a luxury tax bill, so removing Stokes allows them to save just over $2 million in tax. Stokes was at the end of their bench, so it's hard to dislike this maneuver by Miami. The team is in a tough situation waiting to see how healthy (or not) superstar Chris Bosh will be down the stretch, and that obviously affects the Heat's playoff chances.

Fantasy impact
Stokes isn't likely to produce much even if he finds a more regular role (now with New Orleans), but he's radar-worthy as a super sleeper for next season (as a potential source of boards and high field goal percentage). This deal doesn't affect any of the Heat's or Pelicans' current players fantasy-wise.