The New Orleans Pelicans have been getting plenty from their starting five, but their bench has been awful this season.
The Pels’ bench is 25th in scoring and does not currently feature a player who has consistently had a positive impact this season.
The closest is probably journeyman Willie Hernangomez, who has been solid, but pretty much everyone else has been bad.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has alarmingly bad shooting numbers though he has played decent defense. Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple don’t look like NBA rotation players right now and rookie Trey Murphy III is glued to the bench.
The Pelicans need some weapons for coach Willie Green and there are some teams who have guys that would offer an upgrade.
Here are five teams that the Pelicans could target for a trade to upgrade their bench.
The New Orleans Pelicans could trade with the Detroit Pistons
Kelly Olynyk, Josh Jackson, Cory Joseph
The Pistons are terrible but they do have some veterans who could at least add some stability to the bench, though none of the options are that exciting unless Jerami Grant comes back from injury.
Kelly Olynyk is the best of this group, but he is out with a knee injury and would cost the most in a trade, though the Pels could probably get him for Jaxson Hayes and a pick. He’d be a nice get actually, and a future fit with Zion Williamson as a big who can stretch the floor.
Josh Jackson can’t shoot but would be an upgrade to the defense and he also brings an element of toughness that the Pels lack on the bench. I’d love to watch him and Herb Jones on the perimeter.
Cory Joseph is a steady hand as a veteran backup point guard who is pretty good at setting up teammates and would be an upgrade over Satoransky.