New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking Roster from Least to Most Tradeable

The Glue Guy and the Teenage Freak

Jaxson Hayes: Age 19

Contract: 3 yrs./$5.1, $5.3 and $6.8 million

Jaxson Hayes is a 19-year-old who has already shown enough highlight reel dunking and shot-blocking ability to have most of the league interested.

Hayes lacks a jump shot and needs refinement on defense, but his size and freakish athleticism, coupled with his age and salary would make him an easy player to trade.

Unlike Alexander-Walker, Hayes played enough this season to showcase his talents and will very likely be getting huge increase in minutes as early as next season, especially if the New Orleans Pelicans can’t find a cheap center in free agency.

The Pels may not be willing to hand the keys to paint to Hayes yet, but they might be if finances prohibit them from upgrading.

Teams are probably already sniffing around Hayes, and if he were made available, he’d be one of the hottest commodities on the team.

Josh Hart: Age 25

Contract: 1 yr./$3.49 million

Josh Hart’s combination of production, age and salary make him one of the most valuable members of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Hart is averaging 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds, numbers that put him among the best backup guards in the league.

Hart’s rebounding and defensive versatility allow the Pelicans to go small, as Hart can guard bigger guys and hold his own on the glass.

Hart is one of those glue guys who does all of the little things teams need and he does it at a low cost. Hart was the 68th highest paid shooting guard this season, which is absurd when you look at guys like Rodney McGruder and Patrick McCaw who are making twice as much.

Hart is one of the most valuable players in the NBA when production is weighed against cost and there are 29 other teams who wish they had him coming off their bench.