Could the Pelicans trade up in the 2022 NBA Draft?

New Orleans Pelicans: 2022 NBA Draft trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder already have three picks in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft and about 800 more spread out over the next decade, but Sam Presti is always looking for ways to add more assets and firepower.

What he eventually plans to do with all of these picks is anyone’s guess, but if he wanted more for the coffers, New Orleans has them to offer.

In this trade, the Pelicans give up Jaxson Hayes, the 8th pick and two future unprotected first-round picks to move up six spots to number two.

The question is whether that would even be enough to move up this much, as it generally takes one first round pick to move up a spot or two in the top-10 of the draft.

The Thunder may also not view the Lakers and Bucks picks as valuable, since they are likely to be later in the first round unless the Lakers continue their free fall or blow things up.

The Pelicans may have to put another pick on the table, but if the right guy is there, it could make sense to give up as many future picks as it takes.