What would a trade for De’Aaron Fox cost the Pelicans?

Trading De’Aaron Fox to the Pelicans, who says no?

If the Kings really intend to trade De’Aaron Fox, they are doing so to build around Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell and the assets they get from the trade.

If they are starting another rebuild then they might want more draft picks in which case they could likely get another first-rounder by flipping Josh Hart to a contender in the deal.

Without knowing the Kings long-term plan (if they have one), it’s hard to say what they are after by dealing Fox, who they only recently locked up in an extension. It seems to me the smart move would be to keep Fox and deal Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes instead, but what do I know?

From the Pelicans’ perspective, I can’t see any reason to turn down such a deal. If you can get a talent like Fox only giving up Hart, NAW and some draft picks, you make that deal in a heart beat, as you now have Zion, BI, Fox, Herb Jones and Jonas Valanciunas, which is a group you can go to war with.

The only thing that would give the Pelicans pause is Fox’s contract, as it they’d be making a long-term commitment to a guy who is a questionable fit.

Personally, I think CJ McCollum is a better fit as a player and he’s not as big of a long-term risk even though he’s older and Fox has a higher ceiling at this point in their respective careers.

It would be a bold move by David Griffin, one that would define the rest of his time in New Orleans one way or another.