New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Trade candidates to keep an eye on next season

The New Orleans Pelicans should have their eyes on these four NBA superstars over the course of the 2020-2021 season

One of the most impressive feats from this offseason is just how well the New Orleans Pelicans’ front office has been able to acquire assets for the future. Even though every Pelicans fan is excited about what the team can do this season, the assets that David Griffin has put together by trading Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday allows the organization to be aggressive in the pursuit of stars during this team’s contending window.

I think it’s such a smart move by Griffin and his staff because New Orleans isn’t the free-agent destination that many of the NBA’s bigger markets are. That means acquiring marquee talent for the Pelicans will have to happen through the draft or by trade.

Amassing draft picks by trading two stars allows the Pelicans to do both. My thought is though that with a generational talent in Zion Williamson already on the roster that the Pelicans’ best chance for a title would be flipping their draft picks for a proven superstar.

Obviously, that’s easier said than done and it all starts with a superstar becoming available. So with that, I decided to preview four stars that fans should keep their eyes on this season in case they become available. Starting with some we’ve written about here for a while.

Bradley Beal has been in New Orleans Pelicans rumors since David Griffin was hired, maybe he’ll shake loose if the Washington Wizards have another poor season

#4 – Bradley Beal

For me, a player that New Orleans Pelicans fans should start with is the one that I think they should’ve tried to make a move for on draft night, Bradley Beal.

Beal is in the prime of his career but his talents seem to be being wasted consistently with the poorly run Washington Wizards. Want proof of that assessment? Look no further than the fact that Beal averaged 30 points a game last season and wasn’t named as an All-Star or All-NBA selection.

Beal claims that he’s committed to Washington but that could all just be smoke and mirrors. I think this season, some of the cracks in that charade will begin to show.

The reason why I say that is because John Wall is returning to Wizards after missing all of last season with an Achilles tear. Beal’s relationship with Wall hasn’t always been pleasant, and now with Wall reportedly wanting out of Washington things could get worst.

The cherry on top is that if Washington again fails to make the postseason, Beal might come to his senses and realize that’s he going nowhere on that franchise. Given that the Pelicans have the most assets of any team not named the Oklahoma City Thunder, they could provide Washington with the best package for their star player.

Remember, Beal is only 27 years old too, which means in theory he’s just entering the prime of his NBA career. All the more reason why Pelicans fans should be desperately hoping that things in Washington fall apart.

If they don’t though, there is another shooting guard that New Orleans could consider…