When the 2025 offseason started, New Orleans Pelicans fans were left wondering what direction the new President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, would take this team. Many speculated a hard reset that would see Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy traded. Instead, Dumars decided to keep the core together and make moves to bring in depth, experience, and young talent, helping build the Pelicans into a real playoff contender.
The offseason proved to us that under Joe Dumars, the Pelicans' goal is to make the playoffs and be a winning basketball team. This has led me to speculate that players like Jordan Hawkins and Yves Missi could become prime trade candidates during this season if they struggle to break out.
Despite both Hawkins and Missi being young and providing a skillset on paper that the Pelicans need, I don't think they are ready enough to contribute as rotation pieces on a playoff team.
Sure, Hawkins has the potential to be a great knockdown shooter, but he has yet to really establish himself as a consistent threat from deep in the NBA. If he isn't making an impact off the bench early into next season, the Pelicans should look to move on.
A guy who I think would be the perfect replacement for J-Hawk on this roster is Toronto Raptors wing Ochai Agbaji. Coming off a year where he shot 39.9% from three, he has grown into one of the league's absolute best 3-and-D wings.
Agbaji would be the perfect midseason acquisition
Agbaji has one of the best frames in the entire NBA at 6'5", 215 pounds. This frame allows him to guard anyone 1 through 4, as he rarely gets bullied by taller offensive players because of his strength. He also brings so much energy defensively and is constantly trying to generate turnovers; last season, he averaged just under one steal per game because of this.
He plays with a high motor and energy that would match the likes of Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones.
Offensively, he doesn't have a crazy bag but is a great athlete and both a threat from the perimeter and at the rim. Last season, Agbaji was a killer from the corner as he shot 40% on his corner threes. With the Pelicans ranking in the bottom five in three-point attempts and makes last season, Agbaji's presence would bring a massive boost to their attack from beyond the arc.
Long term, he may have a similar career as Jordan Hawkins, but because of his size and versatility, he would be a much better fit with the Pelicans.
Coming off a season where he averaged 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, his value will be high. However, with the overwhelming wing depth Toronto now has with Ingram, Barrett, and Dick, Abaji may be the odd man out.
I think if New Orleans offered up Yves Missi in a one-for-one swap, Toronto would jump at it. Right now, the Raptors lack a long-term answer at the five, once Jakob Poeltl starts regressing, and Missi could be the answer for them.
If the Pelicans are still in a playoff hunt mid-season, Ochai Abaji would be the perfect trade target for Joe Dumars and the front office.