After trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz are headed for a rebuild. Players like Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Bojan Bogdanovic seem to be on their way out of Utah, which could interest the New Orleans Pelicans.
Utah still has coveted veteran trade asserts, including Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley Jr. They'll approach an Oklahoma City-esque haul of draft assets once they're done dealing. Jazz consider Markkanen, Sexton and Agbaji keepers for their rebuilding roster.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022
New Orleans has had a quiet offseason, but with Jordan Clarkson on the market, should the Pelicans pursue the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year?
New Orleans Pelicans: What would it take to trade for Jordan Clarkson?
Utah would likely require young assets and picks and the Pelicans have enough of both to get a deal done. Draft picks are not an issue for the Pels, as they currently hold 10 first-round picks over the next seven seasons.
A trade could be centered around Pelicans’ guard Devonte’ Graham.
Graham, who was acquired last offseason by New Orleans, has been in trade talks recently. Graham showed flashes last season but struggled to stay consistent. Due to this, his role steadily decreased throughout the 2021-22 season.
Graham, who is in the second year of his 4-year / $47 million contract, would help both teams stay under the salary cap and there is a chance he would be the odd man out of the rotation anyway. New Orleans would certainly have to give up at least a first-round draft pick in this deal.
Another route the Pelicans could take is centering a trade around Jaxson Hayes or Kira Lewis.
Hayes, 22, is in the final year of his rookie deal. The Pelicans have not committed to an extension for the former first-round pick, which could prompt a trade this offseason.
Kira Lewis, 21, is coming off a torn ACL he suffered last season. Although he too was a former first-round pick, the emergence of Jose Alvarado and the acquisition of Dyson Daniels could result in him spending a lot of time on the Pelicans’ bench.
October will be a huge month for the New Orleans Pelicans, as they will have to make decisions about both Hayes and Lewis Jr.
Utah could be interested in either of these two young players as they look to tank next season.
Trading for Jordan Clarkson could help the Pelicans become a force in the West, as he averaged 16 points per game off the bench last season and over 18 the season before that. He’s not a great 3-point shooter but would give the Pels a consistent bucket-getter off the bench.
By not giving up a majority of their assets, New Orleans could return their core from last season while adding one of the league’s best bench scorers.
A trade for Clarkson could round out the Pelican’s roster, and it is something the front office should consider.