I've written a lot this season about how it takes luck to build a championship-contending roster in the NBA. There has been plenty of evidence and examples of this in recent league history. Take the most recent title winners for example.
The Boston Celtics had a lot of luck when the former Brooklyn Nets' brass decided to gift them the picks they needed to acquire Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in exchange for their aging stars in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. It was also fortunate that they were able to get both of those players in their respective drafts and that they ended up developing the way they did. Their moves to acquire Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis were all shrewd maneuvers, but they were blessed to be able to add those guys at the value they did and have them pan out perfectly in Beantown.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been waiting for that kind of luck for a long time. It seems that the last bit of grace they received was landing the number one pick to draft Zion Williamson, although that was more of karmic retribution than a real blessing, considering they got that pick the same summer they had to trade away their former franchise superstar in Anthony Davis. Well, the Pelicans may have just gotten their first stroke of real luck in a long time with the way things are unfolding with Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
The Pelicans should absolutely be top contenders to land Kevin Durant in a trade this summer
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Phoenix Suns have clear plans to trade Kevin Durant this offseason, and KD's camp is aware of their desire to move him. This isn't too surprising, considering that the Suns made multiple attempts to trade Durant ahead of the deadline but couldn't get a deal that made sense for all parties to materialize.
This summer, they'll be able to take their time fielding offers and communicating with Durant and his camp to ensure that they can find a trade that works for everyone. If KD is open to it, there's no reason that the Pelicans shouldn't be at the top of his list of potential landing spots.
New Orleans may have had an infuriating last half-decade, but their suffering has rewarded them with one of the deepest and most enviable war chests in the association. If it comes down to an arms race, the Pelicans should have more than enough firepower to outbid anybody else for a superstar like Durant.
The idyllic nature of the Pelicans as a new home for KD isn't just because of the assets they could put up in a trade for him though; that's just to ensure that acquiring him is realistic. New Orleans is a perfect fit, because of the talent they'd have leftover even after making the deal.
Slotting in Kevin Durant next to Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson would give the Pelicans arguably the most lethal and harmonious "Big 3s" in NBA history, even with Durant in the twilight of his career. They'll have to give up some pieces to match salaries and convince Phoenix to pull the trigger, but New Orleans has accumulated a deep supporting cast that'll have talent to spare even after trading for KD.
But the Pelicans' most alluring point for Durant has to be the narrative they can spin together and how it could positively impact his legacy. KD coming to New Orleans would legitimately give them a superteam, with a potential roster featuring Durant, Zion, TMIII, Dejounte Murray, Yves Missi, and Herb Jones. While they would instantly be one of the most talented teams in the NBA, it wouldn't feel the same as when Durant joined the Golden State Warriors dynasty, buddied up with Kyrie Irving and James Harden with the Brooklyn Nets, or even forced his way onto the Phoenix Suns to join Devin Booker.
Instead, KD would be joining a team coming off of their fifth trip to the lottery in the last seven years. While he'd be able to take a backseat and let the young guns in Zion and Murphy III cook, he could appear as a franchise savior, the Slim Reaper swooping in to revive a cursed organization. Winning a ring with the Pelicans, or even leading them to their first deep playoff run in a long time, would grant Kevin Durant things that he didn't get when he won with the Dubs, things that he might not get anywhere else: fulfillment, acknowledgement, vindication.