The Pelicans have to do something. Since David Griffin was hired in 2019, 24 out of 30 NBA teams have won a playoff series. New Orleans is not one of them.
The current core is too talented to sit idly by this offseason. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are likely on the move, and New Orleans will have Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Zion Williamson to build around. A nucleus that could quickly find itself in the upper-echelon of the NBA with the right supporting cast.
Rumors have flown about potential trade destinations for McCollum and Ingram, and a handful of teams have been mentioned more than others when it comes to a potential swap of stars. Let's rank the five teams that have been consistently mentioned as dance partners for the Pelicans.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is the worst of the five by a wide margin. According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, Brandon Ingram is Philly's fallback plan if they're unable to acquire Paul George, Kevin Durant, or Jimmy Butler. The problem with a potential 76ers trade, which we've outlined before, is that their roster is barren come the offseason.
Any deal Philadelphia is likely to make this offseason would have to involve a myriad of future draft picks, and that is not a market New Orleans should dabble in. The franchise already owns a treasure trove of future picks, and their win-now philosophy can't involve kicking the can further down the road. A three-team deal where Ingram lands in Philadelphia, picks land elsewhere, and another star player lands in the Big Easy is on the table, but a straight up swap with the Sixers would leave the Pelicans in need of another deal, and I think David Griffin will look in another direction.