There's been some buzz around the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of next month's NBA trade deadline. But NBA Insider Jake Fischer recently spoke on the rumors and confirmed that fans should not expect to see the Pels trading away any of their big names.
Appearing on an episode of NBA Insider Notebook with Jake Fischer, he addressed the rumors. "I don't think the Pelicans are going to be factoring in to any of these trade conversations from a selling standpoint," Fischer said. "They've been signaling loud and clear that they don't want to move Zion, they don't want to move Trey Murphy, they don't want to move Herb Jones."
This is great news for those who were hoping New Orleans would hold off on dealing guys away and keep playing the long game. Whether you intend to keep all three of these for the long haul or deal one or more of them down the road, a trade shouldn't be rushed. If you're not getting proper value in offers from other teams, it's better to shut down discussions and pick them up again in the offseason.
The Pelicans likely aren't trading any of their big names
Zion is likely the player that Pelicans fans would like to see gone most, ironically. His availability has not improved, and the fanbase is largely tired of talking about him in terms of potential. Many feel that it's better to help him find a new home while building around new cornerstones like Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears than to keep hoping he'll eventually play 70 games and be an All-NBA player.
As for Jones and Murphy, those guys are still extremely valuable pieces you can continue to build around. They're exactly the kind of wings every team in the league wants, and that’s why there’s no reason to rush anything with them. They defend at a high level, shoot the ball well, and they fit into almost any lineup you can think of. Those traits don’t depreciate at the deadline. If anything, they become even more valuable once the offseason rolls around and teams have more flexibility.
For New Orleans, patience actually makes sense right now. While the fanbase is certainly growing weary of losing, there’s a young foundation starting to take shape in New Orleans, and the front office needs to see how those pieces develop together before making any drastic calls. Moving Jones or Murphy just to satisfy outside curiosity would be short-sighted.
If the Pelicans eventually decide a big swing is necessary, they’ll have plenty of leverage when that time comes. Until then, holding steady is the right move. Sometimes the smartest trade deadline decision is making other teams wait.