With the month of August progressing, we are getting closer to the close of the 2025 NBA offseason, and it was definitely an eventful one for the New Orleans Pelicans. Joe Dumars was extremely active this summer, swapping first-round picks with Indiana, trading for Jordan Poole, making a blockbuster deal to get Derik Queen, and signing Kevon Looney.
With how eventful this summer was, would it be insane to start talking about next offseason? I feel like it's never too early to look ahead.
Heading into next summer, hopefully, if everything goes according to Joe Dumars' plan, the Pelicans will be coming off a playoff appearance and maybe even a second-round appearance. However, no matter what happens, I believe this team is still a few moves away from real contention, and the perfect move could be waiting there.
As reported by Jake Fischer, there is no intention for Trae Young to sign an extension ahead of next season with the Atlanta Hawks. Young and his camp appear inclined to play out the upcoming season and leave his $48.9 million player option decision for next summer.
This little nugget from Fischer instantly made my wheels start turning. If Atlanta has a disappointing year coming off the heels of a thrilling offseason, Trae could walk. If that does happen and he is set on leaving New Orleans, he has unreal ammo to send the Hawks in a sign-and-trade.
A package centered draft capital, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, and Jordan Hawkins would be a hard deal to pass up on if you're the Hawks.
Didn't work with one Hawks guard why not try another
Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind for most fans is that Trae Young and Dejounte Murray didn't pan out in Atlanta, so why would it work in New Orleans? It wouldn't. However, in this scenario, the Pelicans would have a corresponding trade in place to allow them to have a more complete roster.
In all honesty, Young should've been the Hawks guard the Pelicans tried to acquire in the first place. His elite playmaking and long-range shooting ability with Zion Williamson would break the league.
Although the NBA has started to veer away from the idea of having star players carry a team, the duo of Zion and Trae would be surrounded by unreal talent. If my mock trade is realistic, in which I think it is, that means Queen, Looney, Murphy, Jones, Alvarado, Bey, and whatever return they get for Murray would fill out the roster.
This whole article may be biased because Young is by far my favorite player in the league. However, I really do think if things go south with the Hawks, the Pelicans are a perfect landing spot for the reigning assist leader.