New Orleans Pelicans: Trading a Lonzo Ball package for Paul George
The New Orleans Pelicans can win now if they trade Lonzo Ball for Paul George.
The New Orleans Pelicans have little opportunity to improve this offseason unless they make a big trade and there may be one out there for Paul George of the LA Clippers.
The Clippers had a disappointing flame out in the playoffs and much of the blame was put on All-NBA wing Paul George, who didn’t play well down the stretch.
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If the Clippers decide to shake things up before next season, they could likely get a nice haul for George, though nothing close to the one they gave up to get him.
George got an epic package for the OKC Thunder including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and the Clippers’ first-round draft picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026, two first-round choices via Miami in 2021 and 2023, and the right to swap first-round picks in 2023 and 2025. Yikes.
It’s safe to say that the Clippers might re-think that trade if they had to do it again, which is why they might consider moving on from George while they can still recoup some of what they lost in terms of talent and draft assets.
The New Orleans Pelicans will be strapped for cash after re-signing Brandon Ingram and still need a lot of help on the wing and the interior. The Pels have a lot of guards and ideally would like to balance their roster with another wing and center who can play defense.
The only way this is going to happen is via trade, as they won’t have much money and would have to get very lucky in the NBA Draft to find a player who can contribute at a high level right away.
Trading for Paul George makes some sense for both teams, but is there a fit? Let’s take a look.