5 trade targets the New Orleans Pelicans should avoid
Trade targets the New Orleans Pelicans should avoid
Two Rumored Players
De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield
Both Fox and Hield have been connected to the New Orleans Pelicans in trade rumors and I can see why, as both have attributes the Pelicans could use.
Fox is a 24-year-old guard who scores over 20 a game and has flashed superstar potential at times. Adding him to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson is intriguing I admit, but are we sure he’s the type of guy who would thrive with the Pels two young stars?
Fox is inefficient offensively, shooting just 45 percent from the field and a woeful 24 percent from 3-point range. Yes, he scores 21 points per game but it takes him 17 shots to get them, which is not the kind of scorer the Pelicans need.
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The Pels need efficiency and defense out of their role players, which they have been getting from Herb Jones and Josh Hart, they don’t need guys who are inefficient scorers who don’t defend much.
Not to mention the fact that Fox’s contract extends for four seasons past this one and ramps up to $37 million, which would be a big risk for a questionable fit.
On paper, Hield is a better fit as a career 40 percent 3-point shooter on a reasonable contract that extends only two years past this one and actually gets cheaper.
But, as good as Hield’s career 3-point numbers are, he is still a guy who gets his points inefficiently, scoring 15 points on 13 shots per game. He also takes some really REALLY bad shots at times and doesn’t seem to have the team-first attitude that Willie Green is cultivating in New Orleans.
If I had to choose one I’d take Hield, as he is a better fit and costs less, but I would pass on both if I were the New Orleans Pelicans.