The New Orleans Pelicans have not been good this season but at least they still have Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and a ton of draft capital.
This separates them from most of the bad teams who wish they had three young players to build around as well as the Pelicans’ coffer of draft picks.
This could make the Pelicans players at the trade deadline, when some of the bad teams will almost certainly move on from certain players in an effort to tank and add draft capital to a rebuilding team.
The Pels could take advantage by prying away a good player stuck on a bad team.
Here are six guys who fit the profile, starting with two guys who fall into the “buy low” category.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels could buy low on Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III is a guy the Pelicans should definitely kick the tires on, as he might be available and is having a great season.
Sacramento has reportedly made Bagley III available for trade, mostly because of the emergence of Nemanja Bjelica, who has played less but has been more effective.
Bagley III could be redundant and Bjelica’s play has caused some strife in the locker room, so Sacramento may be motivated to move him.
Bagley’s 14 points, 7.6 rebounds per game would look pretty good next to Zion, as would his 37 percent shooting from long-range.
If the Kings don’t think Bagley is part of the future, then the Pelicans might be able to swoop in and get him from a team that is going nowhere in the Western Conference.
New Orleans Pelicans: Aaron Gordon is worth a call
I’ve already written in detail about how the Pelicans could possibly get Aaron Gordon from the Magic and the chances are even better now that the Magic have lost five-in-a-row and find themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Now might be the time for them to move off Gordon’s contract, get what they can and start over. If so, David Griffin needs to pick up the phone and see what it would take to get him.