New Orleans Pelicans: One trade with each team in the Southeast Division

New Orleans Pelicans: A trade with the Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have been hovering around the ninth seed for what seems like a century, but there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.

The Hornets have a promising young core to build around in PJ Washington, Miles Bridges and Devonte’ Graham and are about to see all of their worst contracts finally come off the books.

It makes sense for them to try and add a young center to grow with their core, which is why there might be a fit with the New Orleans Pelicans:

In this trade, the Hornets get back an exciting young big man to add to their core. Hayes is a good fit with what they already have and was the #8 pick in last year’s draft. He adds some excitement to a roster that needs it and clears some cap space for the Hornets to make additional moves.

They still get a lottery pick, and in this draft, there might not be much difference between the 3rd and 13th picks.

The New Orleans Pelicans get a serviceable veteran center in Zeller who only has one more year left on his deal. They give up a promising young center, but get the 3rd pick back in return, which they could use to take LaMelo Ball (if he’s still there) or the top big man on their board.

If they ended up with a center duo of Cody Zeller and Onyeka Okongwu, the Pelicans would be better defensively and have another young piece to add to their core.

Both teams would get better now and in the future with this trade.