3 New Orleans Pelicans takeaways from NBA trade deadline mania

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 6: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans high fives teammates Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 6: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans high fives teammates Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
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New Orleans Pelicans, Kenrich Williams, Derrick Favors, Frank Jackson, Jrue Holiday
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)

The NBA placed its foot on the gas pedal and floored it. Amidst five matchups, All-Star drafting and the circus that was the trade deadline, the New Orleans Pelicans went about business as usual.

I certainly cannot be alone in saying it was nearly impossible for me to pry my eyes from all my screens with the breaking news of multiple trades before yesterday’s deadline. Earlier this week, the NBA saw a trade unlike any we have seen in quite a long time, between four teams shifting a total of 12 players.

It was only Tuesday night. There were still two days until the deadline, and a good chunk of the league took full advantage of the remaining time.

People got antsy, article upon article of, “Who will the Pelicans move before the deadline?” sprung onto the fan base – what if we lose Jrue? What if an offer is too good and we dish J.J. Redick?

Tensions were high, even though the Pelicans tried their best to ensure us they would lie low throughout the process.

And they did. In a day at the zoo for the NBA, the Pelicans stayed home, thankful for what they have: a wildly athletic core of young talent led by a handful of the best veterans around the block.