For months now, people have been left wondering what the New Orleans Pelicans were going to do. After a disastrous start to the 2024-25 NBA season mired by injuries to practically their entire core roster, it was clear that the Pelicans would be forced to abandon their playoff hopes and pivot towards maximizing their odds for the draft lottery.
With any hope of making the postseason out of reach, it only made sense for New Orleans to turn their eyes towards the draft and its blue-chip prospects such as Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper. Beyond this season and the incoming rookie class though, there was no telling what the Pelicans would do.
They could have torn it all down and rebuilt from the ground up around their new prized draft pick. They could have also used this lost season as an opportunity to add a premiere rookie to a roster full of talent. Earlier in the year, New Orleans marked nearly its entire roster available for trade, including Zion Williamson, which gave a strong indication that the franchise was leaning towards a soft reset. This latest development that the Pelicans have shown interest in trading for Jimmy Butler proves that they're looking to return to the playoffs as early as next season, but adding the Miami Heat's star wing won't solve their biggest issues.
The New Orleans Pelicans would still have their work cut out for them after adding Jimmy Butler
Let me be perfectly candid. I'm probably one of Jimmy Butler's most avid defenders. While he definitely could have been a bit more professional during this latest saga, I don't really blame him for holding a grudge against the Miami Heat and demanding out. Jimmy took two different Heat teams that nobody believed could make the Finals and dragged them there, practically singlehanded.
Despite him proving that he's capable of leading a title team twice, the Heat repeatedly allowed their best role players — and some of his closest friends — to leave in free agency. Just in the past few seasons, they've lost Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, and Max Strus. Miami also had a gift-wrapped opportunity to add another superstar in Damian Lillard and squandered it. Their refusal to give Butler an extension he's objectively earned from them was just the final straw.
That said, I'd be a big fan of the Pelicans adding Jimmy Butler. Between him, Zion Williamson, and Trey Murphy III, New Orleans would have more than enough star power to compete for a title if they added the proper ancillary pieces around them. That last part is what makes this tricky.
If the Pelicans were to trade for Jimmy Butler, they wouldn't be addressing their biggest need or even one of their two most glaring holes. While he'd unquestionably be an upgrade over Brandon Ingram, his fit next to Zion isn't seamless either. He's a much better defender and playmaker, which would help him mesh alongside Big Z, but he's even less of an outside shooter than BI. Butler is most comfortable attacking the lane and the midrange and creating for others off of the dribble. Essentially, he has the exact same strengths that Williamson has.
New Orleans would still be lacking their greatest roster need too: a true defensive anchor who can protect the rim and bang down low with post-up centers full-time. Yves Missi has exceeded all expectations as the 21st-overall pick, but he's still not ready to be the starting center on a title contender. Even if he was, that only gives the Pelicans one viable center on their roster.
Butler's stock has taken a huge hit during this fallout with the Heat, but New Orleans would still probably have to give up additional assets along with Brandon Ingram in order to trade for Jimmy. That'll only make it more difficult for them to fill their other needs. I'm still a fan of the Pelicans trading for Butler, even if it might mess with their tank this season. It's clear that they'd still have their work cut out for them after adding Jimmy if they want to contend though.