Will Pelicans make a big trade in 2022? 3 names to watch
The New Orleans Pelicans will finish 2021 just two games behind the Spurs for the final play-in spot and they might still have a move to make.
Insiders have claimed the Pelicans will be buyers at the trade deadline, though the way they are playing lately, they might just want to stand pat and wait for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to get healthy.
These are not the same Pelicans, as coach Willie Green has them buying into the team concept and playing hard every game, which we didn’t always see in years past.
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They have the chips to make a move at the deadline and there are a number of teams that might want to unload a player who could help, whether it is a bench upgrade or a star to add to Zion and BI.
Here are three players to keep an eye on as the new year approaches, ranging from a guy who could help add depth and shooting to the bench, to a full-fledged superstar on a bad team.
New Orleans Pelicans: Bring Buddy Hield Home
We’ve been talking about trading for Buddy Hield for years now and it might finally be the time.
The Kings stink again but do have some nice young players to build around in Haliburton and Mitchell. If they don’t want to trade De’Aaron Fox, then Hield would get them the next biggest return unless they decide to deal Harrison Barnes.
The Kings, like the Pelicans, had ideas of the playoffs this season, but unlike the Pels, the Kings have been healthy, so this is pretty much the ceiling of this team.
If the Pelicans could get Hield with some combination of Jaxson Hayes, Tomas Satoransky and picks, then Buddy should be packing his bags.