This player could help the Pelicans if he reaches the NBA buyout market

The New Orleans Pelicans made the splashy trade for CJ McCollum but had to give up two rotation players in the deal.

This is currently a problem, as Larry Nance Jr., who was included in the McCollum trade, is out with an injury and may not be back this season.

This has left the Pelicans somewhat thin at forward unless one of Naji Marshall, Trey Murphy III or Garrett Temple step up and the Pels could look to the NBA buyout market for additional depth.

I thought they might make another minor trade before the deadline, but the Pelicans are obviously confident in their internal options or think there might be a guy or two available.

The buyout market happens when teams waive players they can’t fit on their rosters post-trade deadline. They are usually guys on expiring contracts who aren’t likely to play on the team they were traded to, so the team comes to some kind of agreement to buy them out and allow the player to go somewhere else.

Players added before March 1st can still participate in the playoffs and I do think there is one name out there who might interest the Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans on the buyout market

One team to watch is the Brooklyn Nets, who just traded two players for three and will have to eventually find room for them on their roster.

The Nets are going to have to waive someone, and it stands to reason it will be one of the players at the end of their front court rotation.

The most likely candidates are Blake Griffin and James Johnson.

I don’t think Griffin is a fit with the Pelicans at all, but James Johnson is a guy who might get some interest if he does end up being bought out.

Johnson played 22 games for the Pelicans last season and played well, so they are familiar with his work. He is still a versatile defender who can come off the bench and guard several positions, so Johnson is not a big name but he would fill a potential need.

Hopefully one of the young New Orleans wings will step up and seize this role, but the Pelicans could also turn to the buyout market for a veteran.