New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Kristaps Porzingis
While Porzingis might be an intriguing fit with Zion Williamson in a video game, in real life, contracts matter.
The Pelicans do have a couple of contracts that would add up but I doubt the Mavericks would be interested in taking on both Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe unless the Pelicans were also throwing in several other assets.
They would almost undoubtedly want at least one of the Pels’ young players instead, so the cost to get Porzinigis would be high.
Once you have him, he is owed nearly $100 million over the next three seasons, so the Pelicans would have very little money for other players, including free agent Lonzo Ball.
Porzinigis would give the Pelicans a “Big 3” consisting of three players who can’t defend, which is not how you build a winning roster.
If the Pelicans were already a good defensive team, then adding Porzinigis might make sense, but how are they going to vastly improve their roster if all of their money is tied up in three guys?
The cost to get Porzinigis would be prohibitive, as would his cap hit, which will be $36 million when he is 28-years-old and could be on two rebuilt knees.
Also, are we sure he’s that good?