What would a trade for De’Aaron Fox cost the Pelicans?
The New Orleans Pelicans will reportedly be active at the NBA trade deadline, somewhat surprising considering they are the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
But the Pels have managed to hang around despite injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, so might think the right piece can push them into the conversation, especially if those two are ever healthy at the same time.
A trade for a guy like CJ McCollum makes some sense, as he would possibly give them enough to at least make the play-in this season and then the Pels would be set up next year when they are hopefully at full strength.
Another name that has been mentioned is De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings, who is reportedly one of the “big name guards” the Pelicans are inquiring about according to Brian Windhorst.
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Fox is a proven 20+ppg scorer who can be electric at times and has stretches where he looks like a superstar. But is he a fit on the New Orleans Pelicans?
De’Aaron Fox on the New Orleans Pelicans
Before we get into what the Pelicans would have to give up in a De’Aaron Fox trade, it’s fair to ask if he is even a fit with the Pelicans.
He is on a max contract that extends for four years past this one, escalating up to $37 million in 2025-26, so if you trade for Fox, you are doing it to make him part of the long-term plans.
With Brandon Ingram already on a max and Zion Williamson (hopefully) signing one soon, you’d be making these three players the foundation of your team, so David Griffin would have to be certain they are a fit.
I really like Fox, he’s an exciting playmaker off the bounce, he’s from New Orleans and he would give the Pels a solid third scoring option that will occasionally go off and win you a game.
He’s not a good 3-point shooter and gets most of his points from the mid-range and in the paint, so I worry about his fit with Zion Williamson and BI, who both live in that area as well.
If the Pelicans had the right collection of shooters around them, I could see it working, but Fox’s inefficiency, lack of shooting and contract are issues, which is why I put Fox on a list of trade targets the Pels should avoid.
The flip side is that Fox is the right age and is a talent, and talent wins games. These three players are all smart enough to adjust and coach Willie Green could be the guy to get them to buy in and make it work.
My fence-riding analysis is that I could be talked into Fox for sure, but what would it cost the Pelicans?