New Orleans Pelicans: Should Pels go for it or be patient?

New Orleans Pelicans: Making a trade for another star makes sense

The argument for making a big trade

Some believe that the only reason to even acquire draft assets and young talent is so that you can use them in a trade for a star.

There is certainly some logic to this, as the draft and young players are a crapshoot and you never know which ones will turn into stars.

If you can trade an unknown for a known commodity it makes sense to do so.

But the real reason to try and trade for a guy like Bradley Beal is Zion Williamson.

Zion Williamson is only 20, yes, but he is already a star. But he is also a guy who is an injury risk every time he takes the floor, whose superhuman athleticism and style of play make for a potentially dangerous combination.

The goal of sports is to win titles and the Pelicans’ window for winning one may be shorter than some fans think.

Can we really count on Zion to be healthy and in top form for the next ten years? The next five? The next three?

He has looked great so far this season and as he adds wrinkles to his game he won’t have to rely so much on the physical style he uses now.

I want to be optimistic, but I’d hate for the Pels to look back on Zion’s career and say they wasted his entire rookie contract, especially when those could be his peak athletic years.

I can see an argument for both approaches. I want the Pelicans to be good constantly and build a team that doesn’t look like a video game roster, but championship windows close quickly and the Pels have the assets to get another star now.