Thursday’s trade deadline is fast forcing teams to evaluate their short and long-term futures and it shapes as an interesting day for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Should the New Orleans Pelicans be buying, selling or maybe a combination of both? The 8th seed is still attainable for the Crescent City but should they be looking at the deadline as more of a time to acquire someone on a longer deal who can be a vital piece of their young core as they look for playoff success in future years?
With the 2020 draft class shaping up as a weak class should the Pelicans brass be avoiding the draft this year before going back there in future years?
After ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced the Houston Rockets were looking to acquire a wing and would possibly trade Clint Capela in order to do so, it made me think perhaps the New Pelicans Orleans should look at acquiring Capela rather than the Atlanta Hawks or Boston Celtics who are also reportedly interested in the Swiss big.
Sources: The Atlanta Hawks remain a possible landing spot for Capela too. Rockets are pursuing first-round picks to flip into a deal for a wing player and another center. Robert Covington and Andre Iguodala are among several Houston targets. https://t.co/uWXqPqEx6T
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2020
With the inclusion of Zion Williamson into the starting lineup showing a ridiculous +30.8 points in just 73 minutes so far should New Orleans look at trying to get younger at the center spot and shift out the expiring contract of Derrick Favors or should they stand firm and keep the five-man group of Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Favors together?
Is he even demonstrably better than Favors or are they looking at bringing Favors back on a new deal in the summer? There are a ton of questions David Griffin and Trajan Langdon will be trying to answer this week.
Houston is reportedly looking to add Andre Igoudala to their rotation and Memphis are adamant he will be traded and not bought out.
But are the Pels brave enough to add a rim-protector who will have another four years on contract after this season? Do they believe Capela could be a valuable core piece next to Zion Williamson as he becomes the new young anchor to a defense that has struggled for consistency?
Would the Pels be willing to possibly send a first-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies because of Houston’s lack of future draft capital or are they not willing to deal with a conference rival and help them build their assets back up?
The Rockets’ trade for Russell Westbrook in July has made dealing assets in order to build a title contender even more difficult for Daryl Morey but never doubt his ability to make something work.
The Grizzlies and Pels both have plenty of picks they can look at trading but is there enough to make all three parties happy to execute a deal? Are the Memphis Grizzlies happy to take the expiring contract who they could even use in another deal before the deadline provided they get a good draft asset in return?
I’ve detailed below what a three-team trade between the Southwestern rivals may look like if New Orleans decided to get involved.
Memphis is keen to get a first-round pick for Igoudala and the Pels might be the best placed to give them that by offloading the 2020 Cleveland Cavaliers‘ pick acquired on 2019 draft night.
With all of their salaries, all but matching it’s only the draft picks attached to the deal-making this trade a little tricky.
The New Orleans Pelicans have two extra second-round picks in this year’s draft which they could possibly swap with Houston Rockets who also have some seconds to basically just trade the order in which number they’re picking on draft night.