3 Players the New Orleans Pelicans Could Trade this Offseason

Jaxson Hayes, Center

Hayes showed a lot of promise in his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans.

In his 56 games, he averaged 7.5 points and four rebounds, blocked some shots and had a few thunderous dunks.

He is still just 19, is on a reasonable contract and is already a fan favorite.

It seems like this is exactly the type of player the New Orleans Pelicans shouldn’t trade in the offseason until you take a closer look.

The Contract

Hayes is signed through the 2022-23 season.

He is due to make $5.1 million next season, $5.3 million the following and it ramps up to $6.8 million in 2022-23.

This may seem like peanuts for someone of Hayes’ potential, but the Pelicans will not have the luxury of paying for potential.

These numbers would be reasonable, even if Hayes was primarily a backup and they become really manageable if he is playing big minutes, but that is a big “if.”

Backup centers come cheap these days, especially ones who can’t shoot, so the Pelicans could likely get similar production out of a much cheaper player, someone like free agent Nerlens Noel.

The New Orleans Pelicans can probably find a more efficient way to spend $6.8 million, and put those savings into the Lonzo and Zion extensions.

The Fit

Hayes is only 19, so it is too early to project how he’ll end up in the NBA, but as of now he doesn’t do much that the Pelicans actually need.

With Zion taking up most of the lane, the New Orleans Pelicans need big men who can stretch the floor and knock down shots.

Hayes currently projects as a rim runner, shot blocker, dunker and not much else. He’s great at running the floor, so fits into the Pels up-tempo style, but his offensive game is limited.

If Hayes doesn’t evolve, he won’t fit with what the Pelicans are trying to do, which is play small-ball around Zion.

Hayes would definitely have value in a trade, and the Pelicans could likely trade him for future cap relief and replace his production with a cheaper backup.