The New Orleans Pelicans have not gotten much out of the point guard position since trading Jrue Holiday, and this was on display last night against the Spurs.
Devonte’ Graham and Tomas Satoransky scored eight points combined while Derrick White and Dejounte Murray filled the stat sheet. The Pelicans’ guards were continuously killed in the pick-and-roll and illustrated a growing problem.
If the New Orleans Pelicans want to even sniff the play-in this season, they need an upgrade at guard, and there are two players who might be available in a trade.
Possible trade targets for the New Orleans Pelicans
De’Aaron Fox
Another dreadful Sacramento Kings season is underway in California. 11-16 through the first portion of the season, and the team is stuck in mediocrity. Without a roadmap to becoming a playoff team, Sacramento may be looking to part ways with the fifth-year guard and build around Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell.
A trade for Fox does seem unlikely as the Kings are awaiting the winner of the Ben Simmons sweepstakes. However, New Orleans does have the assets and contracts to make a trade.
Graham and Satoransky must be in the deal to make the money work. The Pelicans will have their 24 future draft picks and young players such as Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Trey Murphy III to entice Sacramento.
Although limited in the half-court, Fox is a lead guard, capable of getting downhill and collapsing the defense. After averaging the fifth most possessions in the pick and roll per game, implementing this style of play with Jonas Valancuinas, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson will create more open looks for all four players.
Fox’s efficiency is not great from this play type, but the lack of threats at his disposal also limits his upside. In isolation, Fox ranks eighth for players with more than two possessions per game.
The fit may not be the cleanest given his lack of outside shooting, but increasing the overall upside of the franchise should be an approach New Orleans takes. The question is whether Sacramento is ready to blow it up and if the New Orleans Pelicans have enough to offer without Brandon Ingram being involved.
Malcolm Brogdon
Veterans such as Brogdon, Caris Levert and Myles Turner will all be available if the Pacers go into tank mode. The most prominent red flag with Brogdon is his injury history. It is a flag New Orleans must look at closely, given our unlucky past.
However, Brogdon is the ideal non-all-star point guard when healthy and playing. Brogdon is a low-maintenance player off the court and ultra-efficient on the court. Every night he brings a spread of point-guard play on both ends and does whatever it takes to win. New Orleans needs winners.
Capable of playing in all types of line-ups, Brogdon is the perfect complement for Ingram, Williamson and Valancuinas. In fact, a starting line-up consisting of those four and Josh Hart oozes potential. Hart and Brogdon could create a versatile partnership with both players comfortable playing multiple roles.
Brogdon has some injury baggage, but New Orleans should consider the move with the abundance of picks and available contracts. His four-year contract also locks the player and franchise into a core that already includes some promising players.
New Orleans needs to fix their point-guard problem and if the team is serious about this season, they must make moves to change the current narrative.