The New Orleans Pelicans’ first half of the season has been an utter disaster. The team sits dead last in the Western Conference with a record of 12-37 and doesn't own a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. However, the latest news surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo offers a major silver lining that the fan base should get excited about.
After months of speculation, ESPN insider Shams Charania solidified the reporting around Antetokounmpo’s future. Charania stated that the two-time MVP is ready to start a new chapter, whether that be at this year's NBA trade deadline or during the offseason.
If Antetokounmpo is truly available, no team is better positioned to benefit than the Pelicans due to their control over Milwaukee’s future draft capital. New Orleans owns the swap rights to the Bucks' 2027 first-round pick, which they acquired from the Jrue Holiday trade back in 2020.
Giannis' future could alter the Pelicans rebuild
The Bucks are 3-12 this season when Antetokounmpo doesn’t play, and that record paints a pretty clear picture of what life after him would look like in Milwaukee. If he is moved, entering a rebuild would be the logical next step for the Bucks’ front office.
Rebuilding without your own first-round pick is one of the most challenging positions an organization can be in (ask the Pelicans), and that's the spot the Bucks would be in. So if the Bucks are trying to sell the fan base on the organization's future, getting that pick back would likely be their top priority.
Whether the Pelicans ultimately decide to trade that pick back to Milwaukee or leverage it in a separate deal to a team potentially in the hunt to acquire Giannis, one thing is certain: they suddenly have options. New Orleans could use the asset to reinsert itself into this year’s draft, flip it for multiple future picks, or target young talent to grow with their core.
While this season appears to be a wash for the Pelicans, the news that Giannis may be done in Milwaukee has handed them a golden ticket.
With a young core of Trey Murphy III, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen, New Orleans is trending in the right direction. But how they choose to capitalize on Milwaukee’s desperation could become the defining moment of this rebuild. So if you were one of those people who wanted to see Giannis stay in Milwaukee because the NBA needs more loyalty, but are also a Pelicans fan, it's time to switch your stance. What New Orleans is able to turn the Bucks' 2027 first-round pick into could be franchise-altering.