Grading Pelicans proposed trade targets that highlight shaky center depth

We're about to turn the calendar to December. The weather has started to get frightful, the NBA is starting to hunker down, and trade season is almost upon us.

By December, the league has started to sort themselves into the tiers that they'll likely stay in for the rest of the year: championship contenders, dark-horse teams, pretenders, and lottery hopefuls. Of course, there are some exceptions, like the New Orleans Pelicans who have been absolutely ravaged by injury in the first quarter of the season and can't be properly evaluated off of their horrid start. The Philadelphia 76ers are in the same boat.

Still, trade season waits for no one. On December 15, all of the players that signed on as free agents become eligible for trade which should significantly heat up the market. With their poor place in the standings, the New Orleans Pelicans should be active on the phones ahead of the trade deadline. Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz came up with this list as their top targets.

The Pelicans' center rotation could be addressed with these trade targets

1. Myles Turner

Myles Turner has long appeared to be a perfect center to put next to Zion Williamson. Turner can protect the rim at an elite level while spacing the floor on the other end of the court with his feathery outside touch. That kind of versatility would give the Pelicans a true defensive anchor behind their poor defenders like Z and provide plenty of room for their slashers to work on offense.

Not only would Turner be a great asset on the court for New Orleans, but he's also on an extremely team-friendly contract. He's making just under $20 million this year before hitting unrestricted free agency this summer. He can't be extended, but the Pelicans would inherit his bird rights if they traded for him, allowing them to go over the cap to re-sign him. Still only 28 years old, he has plenty of time to be Zion's frontcourt partner. He's grown underrated as a defender from playing in the Indiana Pacers' chaotic system, but he would be a significant upgrade for the Pelicans in the middle.

Grade: A

2. Brook Lopez

Like Turner, Lopez can both defend the paint and launch from 3-point land. But, he's not nearly the same level of player at this point in his career. Turner might not be a mobile defender but, compared to Lopez, he looks like a spry chicken.

With Lopez, the Pelicans would have to play in a drop defense. They'd still be eviscerated in any screen actions involving either a stretch big or any of their poor perimeter defenders like CJ McCollum or Zion. He's making a bit more than Turner at $23 million this year. He'll also be an unrestricted free agent come summer but that could be a bonus considering his age and salary.

Due to New Orleans's current situation — a longshot to make the playoffs this year and unlikely to be a title favorite anytime soon — Lopez would likely be a rental for them if they were to trade for him. That hardly seems worth the trouble considering how far they are from contention this season.

Grade: D+

3. Nikola Vucevic

Nikola Vucevic is a true stretch five, like Turner and Lopez. He hasn't been the most consistent shooter with the Chicago Bulls, finishing two out of four seasons under 32 percent from deep, but has rediscovered his stroke this year, hitting 46 percent from 3-point land on over four attempts per game.

He's not just a catch-and-shoot threat either. Vooch is one of the better rebounders in the NBA, capable of generating second chances for his team and finishing possessions on defense consistently. He has a soft touch around the basket and a pretty deep bag in the low post. He's also a capable passer and can punish opposing defenses by finding open shooters and cutters off of hand-offs and from the top of the key.

Unfortunately, for all of his offensive excellence, he's one of the worst defensive centers in the league. He's slow-footed, so he can't switch, guard on the perimeter, or blitz ball-handlers. He's also mostly ground-bound, so he doesn't offer much as a rim protector either. His negative defensive impact with the Pelicans would essentially neutralize any offensive boon he provides.

At 34 years old and signed through the 2025-26 season for nearly $21 million per year, this is a deal that New Orleans would probably wind up regretting almost as soon as they make the trade.

Grade: C-