New Orleans Pelicans: Trading the #1 pick would be an option

The New Orleans Pelicans are hoping to get lucky again in the NBA Draft Lottery.

They have a six percent chance of landing the #1 pick, same odds that they bucked when they won the lottery in 2019 along with the rights to draft Zion Williamson.

Unlike that year, there is not a consensus #1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, as most experts can agree on the top three, but not which one of them should go first.

This could lead to some movement in the top-4, as teams might think they could trade back from one of the top picks and still get their guy.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in a unique position as they are the only team in the lottery that made the playoffs this season, so if they land the #1 pick, all options are on the table, including trading it.

New Orleans Pelicans: Trading out of the top-4

First off, the Pelicans would have to get incredibly lucky to get the number one pick, but they do have a 26.2 chance of landing in the top-4, odds that are not astronomical.

They are also in a position where they don’t need to add any more young talent. Yes, if there is a guy they love, then adding cheap talent to the pipeline is smart, but they could probably still do that if they traded a top pick.

If the Pelicans landed pick #4, they might not see a huge difference between that pick and say, pick 8, so they could trade back and grab future assets while still adding a top-10 player to the roster.

The other option would be to try and package that pick for a good player. There are any number of rebuilding teams with useful players that they might want to trade for the chance at a top-4 pick.

If the Pelicans could swing a big deal using that pick, Jaxson Hayes and Devonte’ Graham, they’d have to at least consider it, especially if they brought back a player who could potentially push them over the top next season.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in a great spot, as they are already good and set to add even more talent to their roster in this year’s draft.