If there's one position the Pelicans shouldn't be worried about, it's guard. Joe Dumars, to this point, has built a solid 4-man rotation when healthy, featuring Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Jose Alvarado, and the No. 7 pick, Jeremiah Fears. That's why the latest report from Jake Fischer is bizarre. He mentioned the Pelicans in a list of 8 teams that have interest in signing free agent guard Malcolm Brogdon.
The other teams reportedly interested in Brogdon were the Clippers, Suns, Warriors, Kings, Timberwolves, Lakers, and Bucks. The report also stated the Wizards would be willing to help facilitate a sign-and-trade for Brogdon. Could this mean the Pelicans have an in after trading with Washington earlier this offseason?
The Pelicans definitely could have built some level of comfort with Washington after completing the Jordan Poole CJ McCollum swap before the NBA draft. Could Joe Dumars be using that relationship with Wizards GM Will Dawkins to bring Brogdon to the Big Easy? I hope not.
This is no shade to Brogdon, as even though he has his fair share of injury struggles over the last couple of seasons, he is a darn good point guard. Over his 9 years in the NBA, he has a career average of 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 38.8% from beyond the arc. This type of shooting is something the Pelicans would love to have, as they ranked in the bottom five in both three-pointers attempted and made last season.
The issue is that the Pelicans are already well-stocked at guard, and adding another one would worsen an existing imbalance in their rotations.
This move might send fans over the edge
Joe Dumars' tenure with the Pelicans hasn't been remarkable so far, drafting a point guard at pick No. 7, trading away a potential top 5 pick in the 2025 NBA draft for Derik Queen, and then waiving Antonio Reeves. Things would only get worse if they spent one of their two final roster spots on a point guard.
A lot of the skills Brogdon possesses would hold value for the Pelicans if he weren't a guard. Even after a career year Jose Alvarado is going to struggle to find minutes next season, so adding Brogdon would create a further logjam and waste a roster spot. New Orleans needs shooting and a veteran presence, but not from a point guard, but rather from the forward spot.
If Joe Dumars decides to sign Malcolm Brogdon, it will add to what has been a brutal first offseason under his leadership.