Pelica Debrief
Fansided

3 transaction targets to boost New Orleans Pelicans hopes for an eighth-seed run

By Willie Lutz

Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 6: E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on January 6, 2020 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans are right in the shuffle with many other teams in the West for the eighth seed, but they might need help to reach the playoffs.

After the sluggish start to the season drove many to wonder if the New Orleans Pelicans were set to be sellers at the deadline, looking to restock for a more promising future for their young core of talented players.

Now, standing just a few spots out of the Western Conference Playoffs, it seems like the team could be wise to seek out one more talented player to help an incredibly young core.

Seemingly, they could use a veteran to help this roster keep pushing further into the mix in the mid-tier of their conference.

Potentially, the lack of Darius Miller, who went down with an Achillies tear before the start of the 2019-2020 NBA Season, the Pelicans lost a veteran who’d been established in Alvin Gentry’s system and could’ve provided more shooting.

With the injury spot allotted to the Pelicans after Miller went down for the season, they could fill his spot with an extra player to chase the perimeter, especially a veteran who has some level of playoff experience.

However, floor spacing options aren’t the only things the New Orleans Pelicans could use to start solving some of the holes on their roster, especially as they continue to rebuild their defense.

Without Jahlil Okafor providing the same quality minutes he did a season ago and even in early parts of this season, the Pelicans could be wise to consider adding an extra big, allowing them to part ways with the under-performing center.

While it wouldn’t be wise to trade-off any of the young talent acquired in the offseason, there are certain routes this team could pursue in order to upgrade their roster into something that’ll eventually turn them into an eight-seed front runner.

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