New Orleans Pelicans NBA trade deadline recap and breakdown

The New Orleans Pelicans NBA trade deadline move might be somewhat lackluster considering the fact that Cleveland has a completely new team now.

Like all NBA teams, the New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to add a missing ingredient to their 2017-18 season to spice things up. The gumbo of players that make up the Pelicans makes for an interesting stew. Although, Cleveland cleaned out their pantry and made the NBA trade deadline one to remember.

The trade rumors and news started this morning. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN began the madness with this tweet. Cleveland gets Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. for Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye.

Following the news, Cleveland began making moves. With my eyes glued to Tweetdeck, watching as Cleveland was making more moves. It was like a Looney Tunes cartoon where Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Same began drawing guns, each one bigger than the last.

Cleveland moved Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Jae Crowder, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye and a 2018 pick. They received Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr, George Hill, Rodney Hood and a future 2nd round pick. That’s how you win at the NBA Trade Deadline. I’m looking at you Dell Demps.

What did the New Orleans Pelicans do?

The Pelicans did make a move today trading Dante Cunningham to the Brooklyn Nets for Rashad Vaughan. Vaughan played 23 games this season for Milwaukee before being traded to Brooklyn where he played just one game for the Nets.

More from Pelicans News

• How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
• Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
• New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
• 3 New Orleans Pelicans whose role will increase next season
• Pelicans getting the fans involved with their upcoming festival

Reportedly, Dante Cunningham requested a trade and was rumored to be heading to the Detroit Pistons for Brice Johnson. The Pistons traded Johnson to the Grizzlies for James Ennis.

Cunningham played three and a half seasons with the Pelicans. In that time he averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. It’s unclear if the Pelicans will be active in the buyout market. They’ll have until March 1st to sign any players that get bought out by their respective teams.

Pelicans general manager Dell Demps has seen his fair share of criticism and praise during the trade deadline. I would expect for Demps to be somewhat active during the buyout period. While most players that are bought out are mainly looking for a title contender. There might be a serviceable sharpshooter that could help the Pelicans from beyond the arch.

Next: Pelicans shuffle the starting lineup

Stay with pelicandebrief.com and follow us on twitter @pelicandebrief for all the latest news and notes from the New Orleans Pelicans and the NBA.