Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Draft Night Trades For Jrue Holiday

By Nick Alvarez

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 28: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans could be on the move come draft night. 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 (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 28: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans could be on the move come draft night. 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 (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans help the Cleveland Cavaliers swing for the fences

This deal would be David Griffin doing his old boss Dan Gilbert a major solid but it could also give Griffin some insurance. Trading Jrue Holiday to the Cleveland Cavaliers could help Cleveland get back into the playoffs and get the Pelicans some interesting players in the process. Here’s how it’d work:

This deal is a little bit strange compared to some of the previous ones but it’s something that could make at least make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans

Why The Pelicans Make This Deal

The New Orleans Pelicans do this deal for two reasons Collin Sexton and Cleveland’s 2021 first-round pick. Starting with Collin Sexton, he would potentially become a valuable member of the Pelicans’ rotation in a Lou Williams-role.

That means Sexton might primarily play as the team’s back-up point guard running the second unit but maybe he comes up in certain lineups to play as a smaller shooting guard to energize the team’s offense.

Cleveland’s first-round pick is adding another asset to David Griffin’s growing treasure chest of them. That pick could be used down the line to trade for another superstar level player, or it could end up as a high pick in the future where Griffin could draft another star.

Larry Nance Jr. could be an underrated addition to the team as potential Zion Williamson back-up or small-ball five while Dellavedova would be just a throw in to make salaries match.

Why The Cavaliers Make This Deal

Cleveland makes this deal because even though they should be building for the future, the team has a win-now frontcourt duo of Kevin Love and Andre Drummond and owner Dan Gilbert wants his team in the playoffs.

Having a trio of Holiday, Love, and Drummond could be enough to make a playoff run in weaker Eastern Conference. This deal would also allow Cleveland to hold on Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. who are two prospects they’re high on while also letting them keep the 5th pick in this year’s draft.

The players they would lose would be Sexton who the team is already souring on and then two players who are lower in their rotation. This is a very rushed trade but it’s one the Cavaliers would make for a post-season appearance.