4 shot blockers the New Orleans Pelicans could target for trades
It is still very early in the season, but some disturbing trends have already been developing for the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pels are scoring a lot of points in the paint, but they are giving up almost as many, and aren’t scaring teams from trying to score up close, as they are allowing opposing teams to shoot 67.5 percent at the rim, which is worst in the NBA.
The Pels are just 23rd in blocked shots per game and don’t have a single player on the roster currently averaging at least one block per contest. New Orleans has some great individual defenders, but they lack that presence at the rim who alters and blocks shots on a regular basis.
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CJ McCollum is currently the second-leading shot blocker on the Pelicans, so it’s clear their bigs aren’t really putting fear in opponents when they come into the paint.
New Orleans does have options, as they have the right combination of young players, contracts and future draft picks to add a player at some point in the season and a shot blocker will be high atop their list.
There are several they could target in trade depending on how the season looks at or near the trade deadline.
All of these players are on teams that are either currently struggling and may want to shake things up, or are probably tanking and may want to add draft capital.
Let’s start with two teams that have playoff aspirations but may look to shake things up after getting out to slow starts.