Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Ranking the New Orleans Pelicans from most to least available before NBA Trade Deadline

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 31: Zion Williamson #1 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 31: Zion Williamson #1 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 14: Kenrich Williams #34 is helped up by teammates Derrick Favors #22 and Frank Jackson #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the game against the LA Clippers on November 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 14: Kenrich Williams #34 is helped up by teammates Derrick Favors #22 and Frank Jackson #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the game against the LA Clippers on November 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

12. Frank Jackson

After missing the first season of his career with an injury, Frank Jackson has spent the last two seasons with the Pelicans doing the same things he did as a player at Duke University, being a fine rotational point guard.

Jackson can be a fine member of a team’s rotation and seems like someone who could stick in the NBA for a long time. However, he just doesn’t have a tremendous impact on either end of the floor, oftentimes being victimized if he’s tasked with an All-Star or above level talent.

11. E’Twaun Moore

After riding the pine for six of seven games to start the season, E’Twaun Moore has been a crucial member of the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench this season, often providing an offensive boost when the team needs some buckets from their second unit.

Moore is averaging 9.9 points and 2.7 rebounds off the bench for the Pelicans, but more importantly, he’s knocking down 37.8% of his 3.6 three-point attempts per night.

10. Derrick Favors

Requesting to come over in a trade from the Utah Jazz this offseason, Derrick Favors is more than likely going to remain a member of the Pelicans at the deadline but seems farther from untouchable than many of his teammates.

Hitting the unrestricted free agent market this summer, Favors could potentially walk in the offseason and leave New Orleans scrambling for depth or trusting Jaxson Hayes to make a big defensive leap before year two.

While Favors has been incredibly valuable to the New Orleans Pelicans on both ends this season, particularly on defense, the team’s center jobs of the future seem more likely to belong to the tandem of Jaxson Hayes and Zion Williamson.

Seemingly, Favors is a likely candidate to return to New Orleans in the summer despite being a free agent, as his fit with the team just makes a whole lot of sense. While he might not be “untouchable” like others, it doesn’t mean he isn’t highly valuable to the team.

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