The normally reliable Indiana Pacers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season and the New Orleans Pelicans might be able to take advantage.
The Pacers have suffered a lot of injuries this season and are currently sitting in the 10th-seed, though some are blaming the coaching more than the injury bug.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported that coach Nate Bjorkgren was on the hot seat and was going to be evaluated after the season, which is crazy considering that this is only the first year of his 3-year deal.
This could be a sign that the Pacers are not happy with the direction of the franchise and could start a soft rebuild behind a couple of trades and the right draft picks.
New Orleans Pelicans: Malcolm Brogdon could be traded
Malcolm Brodgon is one of their best trade chips, as he is having his best season even though the team success has not been there.
There is no guarantee that the Pacers are going to fire their coach, and even if they did, it doesn’t mean they are going to start selling their best players for parts.
But it would make sense, as Brogdon is 28, on a reasonable deal and is a very productive player.
Could he be a fit on the New Orleans Pelicans?
The answer to that question depends largely on what they do with their own free agents, namely Lonzo Ball and what they would have to trade in order to acquire Brogdon from the Pacers in the offseason.
The New Orleans Pelicans might be able to use their massive draft capital to upgrade from Eric Bledsoe, which should be one of the priorities of the offseason.
So what would it take to get Brogdon?
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Eric Bledsoe for Malcolm Brogdon
If the Pelicans could somehow upgrade Eric Bledsoe by using their extensive draft capital, then they should do it.
The Pelicans don’t need any more young players, especially from the late lottery, and if they can package some of those picks with Bledsoe to get an upgrade, that might be enough to get them into the playoffs with the right complementary moves for role players.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are ready to win now, so why not try to upgrade, especially if you can do it using mostly draft picks?
But what would it take to get Brogdon?
Obviously this trade depends on the Pacers, as they might try to salvage a roster built around Brogdon, Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert.
That hardly seems like a title team though, so if the Pacers decide to blow it up, going for draft picks is probably the way to go.
Would this be enough to get Brogdon? He is a guy who averages 21 points per game on nearly 39 percent shooting from 3-point range and is a good defender. The Pacers may want a young player like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, or they could take two first-round picks and a few million in cap space.
But does Brogdon fit on the New Orleans Pelicans?
New Orleans Pelicans: Malcolm Brogdon’s fit on the Pels
The New Orleans Pelicans’ biggest decision this offseason is what to do with Lonzo Ball, but I think Brogdon is a fit either way.
Brogdon, like Ball, can play both guard spots, make plays and defend all of the players on the perimeter.
He can also shoot the 3-ball, which would give the Pelicans two reliable shooters at the guard spot if they decide to keep Ball.
If Lonzo Ball ends up on another team, Brogdon slots in as the starting point guard with NAW playing the two, which would be another dynamic backcourt defensively.
Either way Brogdon is a fit, and would basically just take Bledsoe’s spot and be a huge upgrade on both ends.
Would the Pacers trade Brogdon for a package of picks? That is yet to be seen, but Brogdon would provide a lot of what the Pelicans need and could be enough of an addition to get them into the playoffs next season.