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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SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 4: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 4, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 4: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 4, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

9. Nicolò Melli

Nicolò Melli spent the early years of his professional basketball career playing European and Italian basketball, which is likely why many Pelicans fans won’t find themselves too familiar with the forward.

Signed to a team-friendly, two-year contract this summer, Melli is one of the very rare 29-year-olds playing their first year of NBA basketball and he certainly hasn’t looked entirely comfortable making the transition.

However, since the start of the New Year and return of Zion Williamson, Melli has continued to look like a more important member of this Pelicans team.

His fit alongside Williamson was always the most interesting part of his signing in New Orleans, so the team will likely hold onto the forward until they have a better gauge on his ceiling in the league.

8. Jrue Holiday

While Jrue Holiday is one of the best players in the history of the team, there’s been plenty of speculation that his days in New Orleans could be numbered.

Dealing with a handful of injuries but still appearing in 41 games this season, Holiday averages 19.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds with a 50.2% effective field goal rate, all the while being the best defensive force on the team.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Holiday has made it clear to the Pelicans’ front office that he desires to stay in the Big Easy. It seems that the New Orleans Pelicans would have to be overwhelmed to deal Holiday at all, let alone before the deadline.

Despite the mutual interest between the front office and Holiday in keeping the All-NBA Defender in New Orleans, it seems reasonable that the star could be on the move if a team overwhelmed the Pelicans with an offer, something that would tangibly improve the future of their roster.

7. Josh Hart

Coming over in the Anthony Davis swap after spending his first two seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, Josh Hart seems at home in New Orleans and is playing an impact role off of the team’s bench.

Hart is averaging 10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and playing really good defense through 43 games for the New Orleans Pelicans. Further, his hustle is something you can’t help but admire.

Seeming to fit well with the culture and atmosphere currently being established in New Orleans, it’s much more likely that Hart will become an extension candidate this summer, making it hard to forsee his involvement in a trade package.

Nevertheless, if he’s a make-or-break piece of a favorable trade package, that could ultimately lead to him being moved. However, it seems very unlikely that Hart will be moved before the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline, as the Pelicans are really relying on his involvement in their rotations.

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