The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the worst benches in the NBA and would love to add some depth at the trade deadline, especially if it doesn’t cost them much in terms of players.
David Griffin should be scouring the league for guys who might flourish with more minutes or who might not have a future with their current team.
They have a number of holes and all of them are related to the bench.
The Pelicans are getting next to nothing out of anyone not named Josh Hart, though Willy Hernangomez has been solid since earning a spot in the rotation.
The Pels need more size, they need defenders and if they could get a reliable shooter who could come off the bench and actually make some long-range shots, that would be great.
New Orleans Pelicans: The bench needs an upgrade
The Pelicans have one of the better starting fives in the NBA, so their problems have nothing to do with the starters.
Even after a surge of 3-point shooting from Lonzo Ball, the Pelicans are still just 14th in the NBA in 3-point shooting, largely because no one on their bench has knocked them down with consistency.
They could also use a backup for Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson who are both playing huge minutes and will eventually wear down if they aren’t already.
Two players immediately spring to mind who might help these needs.
One is a low-cost shooter who needs a fresh start on a team that can actually get him some open looks and the other is a guy whose role has recently changed and might not have a long-term future with his team.
Let’s start with the low-cost shooter.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is a guy a lot of fans have never heard of, as he’s been toiling away on the Detroit Pistons, who are rebuilding and not often talked about in the national media.
He is having a down year and is on the final year of his contract, so the Detroit Pistons would probably be willing to move him.
Here is a trade that works for both:
Mykhailiuk is not having a great year shooting the ball, but this is a guy who is a 37 percent 3-point shooter for his career and shot as high as high as 40 percent just last season on over five attempts per game, so he can shoot the ball.
He has plus size for a shooting guard at 6-foot-6 and can also play some at small forward. He could give the Pels’ bench a boost of shooting and may just need a fresh start to get going.
He’d be getting a ton of open looks in this Pelicans’ offense and would not be asked to do much more than knock them down.
If he does, great, if not the Pels risked little to get him and could let him walk in the offseason.
The next guy has a higher upside but it would take more to get him.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Miles Bridges
Miles Bridges is a guy the New Orleans Pelicans should definitely monitor, as he could potentially back up multiple positions and might become available before the deadline.
Bridges’ role has changed since the Hornets splashed out big bucks for Gordon Hayward, so he might be available if the Hornets decide he is not part of the long-term plans.
This makes some sense for both teams, as the Hornets get another young piece to add to their core and to replace the veteran centers they will likely lose in the offseason.
The New Orleans Pelicans get some wing depth in Bridges, who averaged 13 points and 5.6 rebounds last season in a bigger role.
Hayes would look great catching lobs from LaMelo Ball and Bridges’ 3-point shooting and defense would definitely help the Pelicans’ bench.
Would the Pels have to give up more? Possibly, but it might be worth it to get a guy who better fits their needs.
The New Orleans Pelicans don’t have to make a huge trade but could fill some holes with guys who are likely available.