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

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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New Orleans Pelicans, Jaxson Hayes
Jaxson Hayes #10, Herbert Jones #5, Josh Hart #3, Devonte’ Graham #4 and Garrett Temple #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The argument for the New Orleans Pelicans to make a trade

The New Orleans Pelicans could choose to make two types of trade, one that helps them get better now or one that helps them tank even further.

If we knew for sure Zion Williamson was coming back, then making a move to add talent would be smart, as the Pelicans are not far-off being a playoff team if they are at full strength.

A guy like Myles Turner would help improve the Pels’ defense and give them some depth behind Jonas Valanciunas. He is also the type of “stretch” center who theoretically fits well with Zion.

If the Pelicans could get Turner it might make some sense even if Zion doesn’t return, as he is still young and on a reasonable contract.

If the Pelicans are less optimistic about Zion’s return, then they might choose to jettison guys like Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, Jaxson Hayes and maybe even Nickeil Alexander-Walker in order to further the tank, get a top pick and grab some future draft assets along the way.

They wouldn’t likely get much in return in such a deal but it would allow them to start with a clean slate and rebuild their bench (again) after this version has been just as bad as last season if not worse.

It’s hard to say which way the New Orleans Pelicans might go, and neither of these options are going to make them a contender any time soon.

That’s why it might be best to just be patient.