The NBA is one month away from the trade deadline and the New Orleans Pelicans need to make a move.
They were shorthanded again last night after Josh Hart was unable to make the trip to Toronto and once again came up just shy of victory in a game they could have easily won with another competent player.
The Pels’ bench was terrible as usual and gave them virtually nothing, with nary a single player logging at least 20 minutes and only one, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, scoring in double digits.
This has been a common theme for the Pelicans this season, as it has become clear that they do not have the quality depth to be a play-in team in the West.
They are expected to be buyers at the deadline, but who they will trade or trade for is entirely a mystery.
I’ll take a stab at the chances of each guy getting moved at or before the trade deadline this season.
New Orleans Pelicans: The deep bench
Using the word “deep” in regards to the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench is a bit out of place considering they have no real quality depth, but some of these guys could be trade bait.
Jose Alvarado- Low
Jose has actually played his way into the rotation, which should shame some of the other guys on this list considering he was expected to be nothing more than a G-League prospect this season. He doesn’t have a high enough salary to be filler and isn’t good enough to be a throw-in on a big trade, so I’d say he’s not going anywhere.
Gary Clark- Low
Ditto for Clark, a journeyman role player that wouldn’t have much value either way.
Willie Hernangomez- Moderate
Willie Hernangomez is a role player but some team that needs big man depth might come calling on him even though he has fallen out of the rotation. He’s proven himself to be a competent third big man and I could see him being moved since he is no longer getting much run.
Didi Louzada- Low
Who wants an unproven player coming off a steroid suspension? Good luck moving this guy, who has been one of the bigger disappointments this season for many reasons.
Naji Marshall- Moderate
Marshall has been in Willie Green’s doghouse for most of the season after having a strong preseason. I am not sure why he can’t get off the bench considering how bad this group has been. He hasn’t done enough to really interest other teams, but he’s another guy who could provide competent depth to a contender in need of it. I could also see a bad team taking a flyer on him since he has shown flashes.
Trey Murphy III- Very Low
The only way TMT is getting moved is as part of a bigger deal, but he hasn’t done enough to be an asset and is another guy who can’t seem to get minutes even though the bench never produces. He’s a good enough prospect to draw interest from someone either as a throw-in in a big trade or to a bad team that wants to take a flyer on a first-round pick and has more minutes to give him.
Chances the New Orleans Pelicans bench players get traded
Nickeil Alexander-Walker- Low
Even though NAW has been awful this season, I do think the Pelicans have some amount of faith in his abilities or they wouldn’t keep running him out there. He’s one of the most frustrating players I’ve ever watched, as he has talent but hasn’t been able to put it all together. Trading him straight up doesn’t make much sense as the Pels would be selling low on a guy that is not making that much money, so I can only see him being moved as part of a bigger deal.
Tomas Satoransky- Very High
Any move the Pelicans make will almost certainly have to involve Tomas Satoransky and his $10 million expiring contract. Since the Pelicans don’t have any other big contracts outside of their starers, Sato will be moved if they make a deal.
Garrett Temple- Moderately High
He’s been a good veteran presence for the New Orleans Pelicans who I wish didn’t have to play so many minutes. He’s shown enough to be considered by a contending team looking for depth and he is on a team-friendly deal that would be easy to move or include as filler.
Kira Lewis Jr.- Very Low
He’s hurt so the Pels would be selling very low here. Can’t imagine any teams calling about a guy who likely won’t play until next season and hasn’t shown much.
Jaxson Hayes- Moderate
Unfortunately, Hayes is one of the better trade chips the Pelicans have, as his size and athleticism might appeal to a team looking for a project. At this point, I think the Pels would cut ties with Hayes as part of a bigger deal if the opportunity presented itself. He’s had a disappointing year three but he does have tantalizing talent that some other team might be able to develop.
Chances of trading the starters
Zion Williamson- None
If the New Orleans Pelicans are going to trade Zion, which I highly doubt they would, they certainly aren’t going to do it when he is hurt and there are all types of question marks about his health. Talk about selling low. Unless someone with a superstar comes knocking with a deal that is a ridiculous overpay, the Pels are hanging up the phone.
Devonte’ Graham- Moderate
He’s a good enough player to warrant some interest from other teams and makes enough money to be included in a bigger deal to make the salaries work. I think he is a good value contract for his production, so it’s unlikely they move him, but he’s far from untouchable.
Brandon Ingram- None
There are only a few scenarios where I could see the Pels moving on from Brandon Ingram after he signed a five-year extension and all of them are long shots. B.I. should make the All-Star team this season and you don’t trade under-25 All-Stars unless it’s for a superstar and it’s unlikely there is one available.
Jonas Valanciunas- Low
There are some scenarios where I could see the Pelicans moving on from JV, but they are unlikely. He’s been very solid this season and looks like he could be a good fit with Zion Williamson. But he’s also on a very appealing contract for his production so other teams could come calling. It’s a long shot but I wouldn’t completely rule it out.
Herb Jones- None
Good luck finding a better player than Herb Jones for the money. He’s the perfect guy to match with Zion and B.I. and is already one of the Pels’ best all-time draft picks. There would be a riot in New Orleans if they moved Herb, unless it was in a deal for a superstar, and maybe even then.
Josh Hart- Moderately High
Unfortunately, if the New Orleans Pelicans want to make a big move, Josh Hart will almost certainly be involved, as he is the type of player every contending team wants and he’s on a very moveable contract that has a lot of flexibility. His combination of salary and production probably makes Hart the most appealing trade chip the Pelicans have, and if they do decide to make a big deal, his name is going to come up.