New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels should make a move for Danilo Gallinari

The Atlanta Hawks are an up and coming team with a player who might not fit. Could the New Orleans Pelicans take advantage and make a move for Danilo Gallinari?

The Pelicans have been playing well as of late and have gone from looking like sellers to possibly being buyers in the trade market.

Their bench has been terrible and the Pels have too many guards and not enough forwards. They would love to get a stretch-four who can actually do what Nicolo Melli is supposed to be doing, which is to open space for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

Could Danilo Gallinari be that guy?

Gallinari is not playing big minutes for the Atlanta Hawks and has only started one game. He’s getting career lows in just about everything and has not been a big part of the Hawks’ attack.

They might be wondering about his long-term fit and whether they can get an asset or two for him now while clearing up some future cap space.

Gallinari is signed through 2022-23 and may not be part of the Hawks’ long-term plans. Could he be a fit on the New Orleans Pelicans? What would they want in return?

New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Danilo Gallinari makes sense

If the New Orleans Pelicans could get Gallinari without giving up anything more than expiring contracts, a non-rotation player or two and draft picks, then they’d have to consider it.

But what players might the Hawks want? How many picks?

Here is one scenario:

I have no idea if the Hawks would be interested in any of the players the Pelicans would be willing to give up but this gives a basis for discussion.

The Hawks might prefer Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Hayes, may prefer Eric Bledsoe to J.J. Redick or may want none of them at all.

So why would they do this? There are some reasons.