The New Orleans Pelicans and their fans haven't had much to be excited about recently, at least on the court. The team continues to dwell at the bottom of the Western Conference standings and the gap between them and the 14th-seeded Utah Jazz has only grown over time.
Just when the injuries seemed to be lightening up, the malicious bug came back for another run through the roster. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jordan Hawkins will remain out for the foreseeable future with various ailments. But hey, at least Christmas and New Year's is around the corner, offering a fresh start for the Pels and their fans.
The New Orleans faithful also had trade season to look forward to, hoping for an infusion of energy and new blood to root for in the future. There was also the hope that the team could turn a new leaf and shed some of their tired veterans, and along with them their old, listless identity. Unfortunately, it seems like even the optimism that comes with trade season is being ripped away from the New Orleans Pelicans and their fans as well.
2024-25 NBA trade season might not live up to the hype
Pelicans followers have seen the trade rumors flip-flop so much just around Brandon Ingram that they must feel nauseous with every new update. At first, it seemed like a given that he'd be moved this season when he and the team couldn't agree on an extension in the summer, meaning that he'd be an unrestricted free agent come the offseason unless he was dealt away or signed a new deal before the end of the league year. His departure only looked more inevitable when he fired his old representation and hired Klutch Sports, an agency notorious for getting things done for their clients by any means necessary.
But, recent events have made it seem less likely that this will be his last campaign in New Orleans. Not only did he go down with another injury that'll hold him out for a significant chunk of the season, but the current landscape of the league, both in terms of financials and the standings in the NBA, makes it difficult to envision a Brandon Ingram trade that makes sense this year.
That hasn't stopped the rumors from flying, nor is BI the only player that's been thrown into the trade machine for the Pelicans this season. Apparently, rival executives believe that CJ McCollum may be available at the right price and New Orleans has already received calls regarding Herb Jones's availability.
As exciting as all of the news surrounding the Pelicans might be, it turns out it could all just be noise. ESPN's Tim Bontemps recently reported that this season might not see any high-profile players changing scenery:
"In talking to teams around the league, the consensus is that it's going to be very difficult, for a variety of reasons, to move on from high-salaried players. As a result, there are only so many moves that can be expected to be made for players in that category over the next several weeks.
Several sources told ESPN in recent weeks they aren't sure any players making more than the low $20 million range will be traded this season. That means there could be no guarantees of better deals coming along closer to the deadline if something appealing comes up sooner."
If this is true, the Pelicans are likely staying put this year, outside of a few smaller deals to tweak the roster on the margins. Herb Jones is under that $20 million threshold, but it's hard to imagine the team making such a major move without knowing the future of their core pieces like Ingram and McCollum.