New Orleans Pelicans: Latest trade rumors make no sense

The New Orleans Pelicans already have 14 players under contract for next season, plus three picks in the 2022 NBA Draft.

They will also be getting this guy called Zion Williamson back if you hadn’t heard, so the Pels probably feel like there are in a really good position coming off a playoff berth and still getting a top-8 pick.

If they wanted to shake up their roster, it would take a trade that sent out multiple players, and it is possible that the Pelicans will try to upgrade at guard or add some more 3-point shooting.

Given their situation, it’s difficult to envision the Pels making a huge trade, as they already got their guy in CJ McCollum. But they do have the young players and draft assets to make a move if they want, which is why the Pelicans are always being connected in trade rumors, some of which don’t make a ton of sense.

New Orleans Pelicans: The OG Anunoby trade rumors

One player the Pelicans have been connected to recently is OG Anunoby, who reportedly MIGHT want out of Toronto (though there is little evidence presented that is true) according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

With Scottie Barnes exploding onto the scene and Pascal Siakam already locked in, Anunoby may feel he has an undefined future with Toronto. The Raptors have said their top six guys are untouchable, and Anunoby would probably be near the top of that list given his age, relatively cheap contract and the fact that he is an impact two-way wing.

This sent Pelicans fans and media scrambling to the trade machine to see what was possible.

The price tag for Anunoby would be steep, with speculation that it will take a young talent plus two future first round picks to get him.

"“Anunoby’s trade value is seen as greater than Detroit’s known asking price for Grant: two first-round picks or a first and a promising rookie-scale prospect.”"

The Pelicans could certainly afford to pay that price, as they have Jaxson Hayes and Devonte’ Graham to match salaries and could add both the 8th pick and a future first rounder.

It would be a lot to give up, but Anunoby is just 24-years-old, already has playoff experience and is one of the best young two-way wings in the game.

But this whole rumor started because of Anuoby’s potential dissatisfaction with a reduced role, so how would he feel about being traded to a team that has even more ball-dominant guys and three established scorers in Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum?

The Pelicans are also loaded at his position already, with Ingram, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, not to mention Zion or Larry Nance Jr. if you see OG as a power forward. Would he even start on the Pelicans?

Even though Anunoby is on a team-friendly deal for his production, the Pels might believe they can get a guy with the 8th pick who will eventually be just as good and locked up to a much cheaper deal.

While the thought of OG Anunoby and Herb Jones locking up the perimeter is pretty enticing, I just don’t see him as a fit given his alleged desire for a bigger role and the fact that the New Orleans Pelicans already have a lot of talent (and money) at forward.