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, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court with head coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Smoothie King Center on January 08, 2020 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

6. J.J. Redick

Highly attractive but seemingly unavailable at this year’s deadline, 35-year-old scoring guard J.J. Redick seems incredibly likely to remain a member of the New Orleans Pelicans through the remainder of his contract.

Teams have inquired about Redick, but continue to be stonewalled by a Pelicans’ front office intent on keeping the guard in their colors.

Redick averages 15.2 points and is shooting a blistering 46.4% clip from three-point range, but more than his on-court production is a great leader for a very young New Orleans Pelicans locker room.

Signing a two-year, $26.5 million deal with the Pelicans this summer, Redick inked a contract to help establish the winning culture visualized by David Griffin and Trajan Langdon when the duo joined the organization in May.

5. Jaxson Hayes

Heading into the future, the New Orleans Pelicans seem to have a solid longterm and developing future center in the rim running Jaxson Hayes.

While his 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game aren’t blowing anyone away, he’s the league’s leading rookie shot blocker, averaging 1.1 blocks per contest with 50 total through 47 games with the Pelicans.

More than just the blocked shots, Hayes is giving the team a lot of impact with his ability to get clean looks at the rim for ferocious dunks, many of which have gotten the attention of fans around the league due to their soaring impact.

Despite going over the top in explaining his frustration with not making the NBA Rising Stars game, Hayes has impressed during his rookie year in New Orleans and with such a low, rookie scale salary, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which the Pelicans would move on from the center.

4. Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Another selection from the 2019 NBA Draft, Nickeil Alexander-Walker hasn’t been the most impressive piece of the New Orleans Pelicans roster this season, but he shows a lot of intangible traits that project well over the course of a career.

Alexander-Walker averages 5.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting a disappointing 34.2% from the floor on 5.8 attempts per contest.

Named the steal of the draft by league executives following his breakout during Summer League and preseason action, Alexander-Walker seems like someone who we’ll all be feeling a lot better about this time next year.

While Alexander-Walker has played with less success than Hayes so far in his young career, he’ll be participating in the Rising Stars game next Friday, as the Canadian native will participate as a member of the World Team.

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