Joel Embiid to the New Orleans Pelicans? Not as Crazy as it Sounds

Why the New Orleans Pelicans should trade for Embiid

Embiid’s injury history, chemistry issues and cost might be enough for the New Orleans Pelicans to stay away from a trade with Philly, but here are plenty of compelling reasons to pick up the phone.

The Zion Window

The New Orleans Pelicans lucked out when they bucked the odds and got the first pick in a draft with a consensus superstar.

Zion Williamson is a generational talent and is still only 19-years-old, but the clock is ticking.

If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that superstars don’t last long in small markets and New Orleans is a small market.

Right now Zion seems like a content teenager who loves his city and teammates, but so did LeBron for his first years in Cleveland.

I’m not saying Zion is going to force his way out, but the chances of him being a Pelican for his entire career are slim.

The New Orleans Pelicans may not be able to keep Zion forever, that’s a fact.

Couple that with his knee injury and the window may be even smaller.

Let’s also not forget that Zion is probably on the best contract in the NBA, as he is putting up superstar numbers on his rookie deal.

This affords the New Orleans Pelicans the luxury of being able to max other players while Zion is still making comparative peanuts.

It’s like having a dominant young QB in the NFL. If you can get cheap, superstar production from a young guy playing a key position, it allows for a deeper, better team.

Zion is signed through 2022-23, which seems like a long time, but it won’t be long before these types of articles are being written about him.

Championship windows close brutally fast for small-market teams and the New Orleans Pelicans can’t behave as if Zion will be there chasing titles forever because he probably won’t.

If the goal is to win titles, then the New Orleans Pelicans should push in all of their chips and try to win one while they have the chance.

The Fit

Currently the New Orleans Pelicans play a super fast pace-and-space style. They are fun to watch on offense, but don’t defend or rebound particularly well.

Ideally, they could find a center that can not only protect the rim, but also step out and shoot from long-range, clearing the lane for Zion to go to work.

Embiid clearly fits this mold, as he is not only one of the best shot blockers in the NBA, but has the range to pull larger defenders out of the lane.

Embiid was shooting 34.8 percent from 3-point range on 3.7 attempts per game, not staggering numbers but enough to draw teams out of the paint.

Embiid would also force the opponent to put a smaller guy on Zion, which will open up even more opportunities for the 19-year-old phenom.

The Dallas Mavericks gave a blueprint for how to stop Zion in a win over the Pelicans just before the break.

They backed off Williamson and forced him to dribble into double teams of taller defenders. Zion got blocked five times and had one of his most frustrating games.

With Embiid at center, teams would not be able to double Zion at all and would be forced to guard him with forwards, who Zion can push around.

Both Zion and Embiid require double teams, which would get the New Orleans Pelicans shooters more daylight for their shots.

It would seem like having two dominant post players would slow the New Orleans Pelicans down, which might be true, but it also might get them more open looks from long-range.

When it comes to defense, Embiid would be a massive upgrade. The 76ers were the 6th best defense in the NBA before the break, while the New Orleans Pelicans were 20th. Philly has great perimeter defenders in Matisse Thybulle and Simmons, but Embiid’s rim protection and ability to switch on the perimeter pick-and-roll are a big part of it.

A starting lineup of Ball, Jrue Holiday, Josh Hart, Zion and Embiid has the potential to be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

Even if they had a slight drop off on offense, the defense would be much better, which would make up for it.

There are plenty of arguments to be made on both sides, but even the doubters must admit that an Embiid/Zion frontcourt is something to think about.

The New Orleans Pelicans could just run it back with the talented young group that they already have, but if they want to speed up their own “process” Embiid might be the way.

What do you think Pelicans’ fans? Would you trade Ingram and a first round pick for Embiid? Let us know what you think in the comments or find us on Twitter or Facebook.

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