What the New Orleans Pelicans roster could look like post-trade deadline

The New Orleans Pelicans could be very busy at the NBA trade deadline, as they have several veteran players that might entice other teams.

The Pels have been largely disappointing this season, although fans may have had their expectations set too high for a young team with a new coach and a lot of new faces.

But it is clear that some of those pieces don’t fit around Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, who should be the core of the this team moving forward.

Some have questioned Lonzo’s fit with the other two young stars but he has proven himself a versatile hybrid who can help the team in a number of ways that don’t involve being a ball-dominant point guard.

His defense and 3-point shooting are the traits Pels need to look for in future players, the problem is that they don’t have many others that fit the profile on the current roster.

Josh Hart could be one, but might be due for a huge raise that the Pelicans aren’t willing to touch.

J.J. Redick doesn’t fit this team’s timeline and looks washed so he is probably on the way out. The Pels would love to trade Eric Bledsoe as well and are still scouring the league for the best deal.

They would also love to move on from Nicolo Melli, even if they get nothing in return, which might be possible given that he is an expiring deal that may be needed to make other trades work out financially.

If all of these players are moved, which is possible, the Pelicans will have a much-different roster heading into the 2nd half that embraces the youth movement and looks ahead to the future.

New Orleans Pelicans: What the depth chart might look like after the deadline

Here is what the Pelicans’ depth chart could look like in the 2nd-half of the season:

PG: Lonzo Ball, Kira Lewis Jr.

SG: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

SF: Brandon Ingram, Naji Marshall

PF: Zion Williamson, Wenyen Gabriel

C: Steven Adams, Willy Hernangomez, Jaxson Hayes

As you can see, the biggest weaknesses would be at shooting guard and small forward. I am sure the Pels would move Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the right deal but it’s hard to imagine they would get much value, so it would be better to let him play out the season and see what they have.

The New Orleans Pelicans would also be getting some players back in return to help fill out the roster, though they would be stupid to take back any additional years given the salary cap situation and their need to re-sign Lonzo Ball.

This would be one way to ensure they stay in the lottery and increase their chances at getting a top-five pick in a draft that most agree has five players that are a tier above the rest.

The New Orleans Pelicans may decide to try and re-sign Hart but the writing is probably on the wall for Redick, Bledsoe and hopefully Melli, so we should get a steady diet of young players in the second half.