It might not feel like it right now, but the future is bright for the New Orleans Pelicans. They might be stuck at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, competing for top odds in the NBA Draft lottery instead of a playoff spot, but this team isn't your typical basement-dweller rebuilding from the ground up.
The Pelicans have plenty of talent. It's why they came into the year with legitimate hopes to be dark-horse title contenders after trading for All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray at the top of the summer. The Ringer's Bill Simmons recently contrasted the Pelicans' current standing against their roster's talent:
"The Pelicans have Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Brandon Ingram and they’re 12-36. Granted, they’ve had some injuries, Zion is a roller coaster ride, and New Orleans is genuinely haunted as a basketball city. The team needs either a relocation or an exorcism. But still. Twelve and 36?"
Uncle Bill is downplaying the injuries that the Pelicans have had to deal with this season quite a bit, considering they all stacked up at the beginning of the campaign, with New Orleans missing seven of its highest-paid players at the same time at one point. Still, this roster's productivity is far below the sum of its parts and that's due to its awkward fit as a unit. That's why the Pelicans need to use this lost season as an opportunity to build a roster that makes sense on the court. Thankfully, they have plenty of valuable trade assets, at least according to Bill Simmons's rankings.
Which Pelicans players have the highest trade value this season?
Honorable mentions: Jordan Hawkins, Brandon Ingram
Both of these players make sense in the honorable mentions group. Jordan Hawkins has shown a bunch of flashes of legitimate superstar potential, but he hasn't been able to string together good performances with any consistency. He continues to be one of the least efficient scorers in the league despite his immense talent.
Brandon Ingram is undoubtedly an impactful player and one of the most lethal weapons in the NBA. Unfortunately, he's one of those guys who needs the ball to maximize his production but isn't quite good enough to justify commanding the rock all the time. He's also on an expiring deal and seeking a four-year, $200 million contract. Those things make him a lot less desirable. Thankfully, some teams are apparently still interested in acquiring his services.
Grade: A+
Dejounte Murray - 85
Dejounte Murray is Mr. Irrelevant in the Podfather's rankings, although that still makes him one of the 85-most wanted players in the league in this case. This placing isn't outrageous by any means. Murray's stock has plummeted significantly since the Atlanta Hawks originally traded for him from the San Antonio Spurs two seasons ago.
For the Pelicans, he's shown glimpses of his All-Star self but has struggled immensely with his shooting touch since fracturing his left hand in the season opener. It hurts to see his name below players like Andrew Nembhard and Walker Kessler, but considering his current trajectory and contract, it's not an egregious ranking.
Grade: B+
Herb Jones - 81
Earlier this season, the Pelicans put practically the entire roster on the trading block. In the same move, they also made clear their "untouchable" assets. Herb Jones was a part of that group of young prospects. Unlike the other players on that shortlist, Jones's status was actually tested, as New Orleans has had to shut down his suitors on multiple occasions this season.
Herb's been out with a torn labrum since early January and he was never able to build a rhythm due to a different shoulder injury earlier in the year. Because of his absences, his offensive numbers are down across the board this season. Still, he's arguably the most impactful non-center defender in the entire NBA and has enough in his offensive bag to prevent opponents from ignoring him on that end of the court. He's also on one of the best value contracts in the league. He's certainly more valuable than players like De'Andre Hunter and Jrue Holiday, who Simmons placed ahead of him.
Grade: C-
Yves Missi - 66
Yves Missi has easily been one of the brightest spots for the Pelicans in this abysmal season. He's been rewarded for his spectacular play with a spot in the Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend and has a legitimate chance to make an All-Rookie team and possibly even come away with the Rookie of the Year award come season's end.
He was supposed to be a project when he came into the league but has been surprisingly capable on both ends of the court. With his athletic tools, there's no reason he shouldn't have a long career as a rim-running, shot-blocking anchor. Despite his impressive first year, I'd actually wager that he's a bit high here. Missi has been undeniably excellent but his production as a run-and-jump center is easily replicated. It's why Kel'el Ware has already overtaken him in Simmons's ranking despite Ware only getting consistent minutes a month ago.
Grade: B
Zion Williamson - 42
There's actually no case that there are 41 players better than Zion Williamson in the NBA when he's healthy. He's shown it again lately, stringing together three straight games with 28 or more points, returning to form as an unstoppable force attacking the cup. That said, there could be quite a few players more valuable than him in terms of trade value when it's all laid out.
After all, Zion is a superstar and he's properly compensated for his production. Of course, Simmons has factored in Williamson's injury history and his proclivity for absence into his rankings. However, something he may have failed to consider are the safeguards that have been built into his contract, which have made all of his salary beyond this season non-guaranteed. With that in mind, he's still pretty low on this list, especially since it's put him behind players like rookie Stephon Castle, Josh Hart, and Dyson Daniels.
Grade: D+
Trey Murphy III - 39
Unfortunately for Trey Murphy III, the Pelicans' disastrous season has prevented the NBA world from fully appreciating the breakout he's had this year. If he continues playing the way he has recently, he has a real claim for the Most Improved Player award. Before this season, he was a 6'9" 3-and-D wing with plus athleticism. Just his shooting, size, and replacement-level defense made him one of the best role players in the league.
This year, he's turned his promise into actual production. He's expanded his offensive bag and become a legitimate three-level scorer, capable of pulling up for a silky-smooth midrange jumper or barreling all the way to the hoop for a strong two. He's shown growth inside of the arc while maintaining his efficiency and volume from deep.
At 39, his placing feels correct. However, Simmons does have him behind some suspect names like Hart, Daniels, and Jalen Suggs.
Grade: B+