NBA trade rumors: Pelicans’ division rival could be making a bold move
The New Orleans Pelicans have had a relatively quiet offseason, which is great for a team looking for stability after a tumultuous last season.
The only real rumblings have been in the form of Kevin Durant trade rumors that mentioned the Pelicans as a possible destination for the unhappy star.
New Orleans made it clear that they wouldn’t be trading Brandon Ingram to get him, and those talks died out pretty quickly, as the Nets are reportedly looking for an All-Star to go along with a slew of draft picks in exchange for Durant.
The Durant rumors quieted down until today, when another potential suitor reportedly got into the mix.
It’s one of the Pelicans’ division rivals, so this rumor should get the attention of fans in New Orleans.
New Orleans Pelicans: Latest Kevin Durant rumors
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED), the Memphis Grizzlies are a team that has expressed interest in trading for Durant and potentially has the ammo to get a deal done:
The Grizzlies have five first-round picks to theoretically utilize in a Kevin Durant trade, but sources say that they will not make Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane available. More details: https://t.co/v0E9k9pA4s https://t.co/rqj9nZaxwI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 22, 2022
Like the Pelicans, the Grizzlies are reluctant to include their young stars, as both Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are among two of the best under-25 players in the league.
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This will likely end the same way the Pels’ rumor ended, with Memphis balking at the price and moving on with the roster they have, but if they are willing to compromise about sending out one or more of their young stars for Durant, that will make the Southwest Division very interesting.
I wrote not long ago that the Southwest was the future of the NBA, but if the Grizzlies trade for Durant that future becomes now, as the division would have three teams that are thought to battling for the playoffs in Dallas, New Orleans and Memphis, and adding Durant would make the Grizz one of the favorites to win a title.
It’s still hard to imagine that a small market team like the Grizzlies would make this kind of move, as it would go against the philosophy that has been very successful for them, but adding Durant would give them a shot at a title, and is something the New Orleans Pelicans should hope doesn’t happen.
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