Should the New Orleans Pelicans be patient or make a trade?

The New Orleans Pelicans are stuck in purgatory without Zion Williamson.

They are not quite good enough to compete without him, but aren’t totally hopeless either, so it’s tough to say what the Pels should do this season.

If they are patient, it could be a lost season for a team that came into this year desperate to make the playoffs and win back a fan base that has largely checked out.

But making a move might require breaking up a team that hasn’t even gotten to play together yet and may have some potential, as we’ve seen at times how he pieces potentially fit.

Let’s start with a look at who they could possibly trade.

The New Orleans Pelicans have some trade assets

If the New Orleans Pelicans wanted to make a trade, they certainly have some guys who would draw interest.

Brandon Ingram would obviously be on top of that list, but I honestly can’t see a scenario where they move an under-25 All-Star who just signed an extension to stay with the team.

Same with Jonas Valanciunas, who looks like the perfect type of center to put with Zion Williamson.

They have two centers other teams might want in Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez, but those two are hardly going to bring back the type of return that would help the Pelicans now.

Josh Hart might be their most tradable asset and I am sure the Pelicans will explore that market as we get closer to the deadline, but again, he is not going to garner the type of return that would propel them into contention or provide high-end draft assets.

There are a number of potential impact players available right now in guys like Ben Simmons, Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis and probably even Kyrie Irving if you remember him.

But should the New Orleans Pelicans make a move to try to improve? A move to tank? Should they just be patient?