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

New Orleans Pelicans: A trade with the Washington Wizards

It’s really hard to predict what the Washington Wizards will do this offseason. If they feel like John Wall is going to come back healthy, then they’ll probably stay put until the trade deadline.

Right now Wall is one of the worst contracts in the league, but if he plays well, Washington could be right back in the mix in the Eastern Conference and won’t need to trade Bradley Beal.

Either way, they are unlikely to trade Beal until they know how their team looks with a healthy Wall, so I am going to avoid the Beal trade for now.

In this trade, both teams trade from a surplus to get a need.

The Wizards get more shooting to put around Wall and Beal. Nicolo Melli is a nice fit on the Wizards’ roster and gives them more floor spacing.

The Pelicans trade Melli, who is a bit of a luxury, for a need in Ish Smith. The Pelicans could use an experienced backup point guard who can control the second unit. Smith has long been an effective change-of-pace point guard who uses his quickness to get into the lane and set up shooters.

This isn’t the blockbuster deal for Bradley Beal, but it would help improve the Pelicans’ depth and allow them to find a backup for Zion Williamson with some size who can defend.