New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Pels who could be traded next season
New Orleans Pelicans: If the Pels stink, Jonas Valanciunas will be traded
I think the Pelican most likely to be traded if the team underperforms is Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas was brought in to improve the spacing around Zion Williamson and if that fails to happen, expect him to be on the trade block.
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Even though Valanciunas is a much-better shooter than Steven Adams, he still does most of his work in the post, so it’s unclear if he really will provide that space.
Valanciunas is on a very team-friendly contract considering his production, and his deal expires after next season, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Even if Valanciunas plays well, there is no guarantee that the Pels see him as part of the long-term plans given that they will likely have to pay him at least $20 million per season, a number they just refused to give Lonzo Ball.
If the Pelicans were to attempt to trade for a star, then Valanciunas may have to be involved, as they really don’t have another big contract to match salaries other than Brandon Ingram.