New Orleans Pelicans: 2 draft day trades with the Atlanta Hawks

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Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans: A trade with the Atlanta Hawks to move up in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Trade #1

In this trade, both teams trade from their area of surplus to get a better fit and both get to stay in the lottery.

The Hawks get their veteran guard in Eric Bledsoe, a plus-defender who fits well with Trae Young and can also take some of the primary ball-handling duties. They get to stay in the lottery and can still get an impact player, while also picking up an early second-round pick for their troubles.

Second-round picks are slightly more valuable in a draft with no consensus about who the best players are.

The Pelicans get a solid center in Dedmon, a guy who could start or play backup to Jaxson Hayes depending on the rookie’s development. This would also allow the Pels to take the best wing or power forward available at six, someone like Okongwu.

This would help balance the Pels’ roster without depleting any of their future draft assets. They would still have the 24th pick to find another player and the roster would nearly be set.