New Orleans Pelicans facing first season without an established star

The Anthony Davis Era

The draft that offseason changed the trajectory of New Orleans basketball. Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, and Darius Miller brought a bonafide star back to the Crescent City with plenty of role players to boot. Davis had the hype and NCAA championship to back up his early star status.

New Orleans has enjoyed the ascension of Davis into the NBA Top 10 conversation for the majority of his tenure here. That means New Orleans has had a decently marketable star for all but one lost season during a lockout. However, the looming Davis trade could change the roster complexion for years. Any trade will likely bring back potential young talent that would need two years to establish any star status.

Jrue Holiday earned a new level of respect from the NBA writ at large the last two seasons. However, he is not exactly viewed as a fringe star, much less an established one. Even though he dominated the new league darling Damian Lillard, Holiday is still not mentioned as a force that can lead a team. He may get his chance next season, unless he is also traded for assets.

Anthony Davis asked for his trade to the Lakers and then cartooned his way out of town before the last game tipped off. David Griffin now has to deal with Jrue Holiday trade rumors in the wake of that Davis created turmoil. While Holiday is arguably too valuable to trade, Griffin must be open to all options. Trading Davis would likely be the best initial move Griffin could make, even without the trade demands.

The Ringer’s hypothetical Clippers offer of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Landry Shamet, Danilo Gallinari’s expiring contract, multiple first-rounders, and probably a couple more assets for Anthony Davis would be a solid start if the Celtics shy away from a deal. Several other teams have attractive rumored trade packages to offer, but Boston, Toronto, and the LA teams are the front runners in the Davis sweepstakes.

No hypothetical deals for Jrue Holiday involve a star coming to play home games at the Smoothie King Center. All the rumors for the Pelicans cornerstone players involve young players showing lots of promise, some roster filler, and draft picks. Not may draft picks become bonafide NBA All-Stars.

If David Griffin plans to clean house, the trade hauls should be very promising with his years of seasoning and great draft scouting. However, some level of star power is needed to attract fans and other high caliber NBA talent. What would the Pelicans front office try to sell potential season tickets holders for next season if a star player is at least two years away?

If they were to acquire him, selling a player like Zion Williamson is easy to the fans, until rookie mistakes lead to mounting losses. Finding a trade to acquire Zion that satisfies Holiday’s desire to compete will be difficult. Finding two trades for Holiday and Davis that could bring back players on the brink of a star turn, while creating enough cap room to sign a willing star free agent to a  contract will be all but impossible.

The highest tier of available stars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard won’t even give New Orleans a meeting. Kemba Walker is a lateral move at best, at a higher salary than Holiday. Jimmy Butler only makes sense if the free agent cards fall just perfectly, including Griffin nailing the Davis trade, the draft picks, and retaining Holiday.

David Griffin’s early moves are delivering a respectable front office and training staff. If his roster moves, trade negotiations, and draft picks provide the same optimism, New Orleans will soon have a new star or two to cheer about for years. Ideally, this would involve Holiday staying and retiring as a beloved New Orleans icon.

If everything does not go perfectly, or the plan is just to compile assets while shedding even the most valuable contracts, the New Orleans Pelicans may need a few years of patience before another “no doubt star” dons a Pelicans jersey.