Pelicans: Possible NBA Draft trade partners from each conference

New Orleans Pelicans draft: Possible trade partners in the Eastern Conference

There are definitely more potential trade partners in the East, as fewer teams see themselves as contenders and there are more squads still firmly in rebuilding mode who might want the 8th pick. I put the Knicks and Magic in here because they have nothing the Pelicans would want.

Teams you can rule out

Heat, Celtics, Bucks, 76ers, Bulls, Nets, Knicks, Magic

Possibilities

Raptors, Hawks, Cavaliers, Hornets, Wizards, Pacers, Pistons, Magic

I think some of these are far more likely than others, so I’ll go through them one by one.

• Raptors: If OG Onunoby is really on the table, he’d definitely fit the definition of “win now compensation” but it doesn’t really make sense for either team. The Raptors would reportedly want two picks and a promising young player, which the Pelicans could offer. I don’t think he is really on the table though, but if he is, it would be interesting.
• Hawks: Another team likely trying to add talent, there have been consistent rumblings about John Collins, though he seems likely to stay put for now. Would Kevin Huerter and pick #16 be enough to move up to pick #8? Would you take Huerter and someone like Tari Eason over the 8th pick? Possibly.
• Cavaliers: Could move one of their bigs and pick 14 to move up. Lauri Markkanen and the 14th pick could be a possibility for the 8th pick.
• Hornets: With Charlotte, it would be far more likely that the Pelicans would move back, as they have both the 13th and 15th picks that they could trade to move up. Seems unlikely given the Pels lack of roster space, so they would almost have to send out a contract in that scenario. A reunion with Devonte’ Graham?
• Wizards: The Wiz are a hot mess and have little to offer other than the 10th pick unless they are ready to deal Bradley Beal. I would love the Pelicans to swap the 8th pick and Devonte’ for the 10th and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose size and defense would give the Pels more diversity in their backup guard ranks.
• Pacers: Indiana’s activity depends on how they see themselves. Are they rebuilding or trying to get back into the playoffs next season? If it is the former, then names like Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon could be on the block. Would Devonte’ Graham, Garrett Temple and the 8th pick be way too much to give up for Turner? Yes, considering he’s on an expiring deal, but there might be something to work with there.
• Pistons: I WRITE ABOUT THE PISTONS TOO for all you pedants in the comments who think I run the team. Not going to dive too deeply into this one since it’s been covered, but Graham/Temple/8th pick for Jerami Grant is sitting there if the Pels want it.

As you can see, the options are limited for the New Orleans Pelicans, which makes it far more likely that they will just add a player with the 8th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.