New Orleans Pelicans: Pros and Cons of Trading for the No. 1 Pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

Pro of the New Orleans Pelicans trading for 1st Pick: Reduce the Clutter

Fans love young players.

Pelicans’ fans already talk about Jaxson Hayes as if he’s an All-Star, though he is just 19 and has done nothing in the league.

But fans are drunk on potential.

The problem with this is that teams often fail to pull the trigger on trades that would make them better because they too are lured by that tantalizing potential.

The other problem is that you can only have so many young guys on one team. The Pelicans have a ton of draft picks from the Anthony Davis trade, and most of their team is young.

They have a glut of players at shooting guard and really need to clear some roster space.

In addition, draft picks can certainly be used to add talent, but at some point you can have too many. Eventually you have to cash some of those chips in for something better.

The Pelicans could reduce some of their roster clutter by throwing Nickeil Alexander-Walker into any trade scenario, essentially allowing them to turn him or one of their other young players into a better player with more potential.

This would allow them to let Frank Jackson walk in free agency, clearing another space for a defensive wing, a center or something they need more.

Would NAW, the 12th pick in 2020 and a future protected pick be enough to pry the number one from Golden State? Maybe, maybe not.

The Pelicans would be wise not to hoard their young “potential” players for too long, as eventually they are just guys on your team who are 25 years old and haven’t done anything.

If the Pels can use a few of their ample assets to add a potential All-Star talent, they can tighten and tweak their roster and make it better at the same time.

Trading up certainly has its pros and cons, especially in this draft, but it is something the New Orleans Pelicans should consider.

Few teams can wield as much influence over this draft as the Pels, who have a chance to build a contender for years to come.