The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the more interesting rosters and chest of assets in the NBA. Perhaps no team has more first-round picks they could trade as they own multiple Lakers picks and swap rights moving forward. Paired with their roster full of young players and the team has a wealth of trade capital.
With the NBA Finals nearing a conclusion and the off-season set to start in full force, ESPN’s Bobby Marks set the table for each franchise with the players off the table in trade talks, available draft capital and tradable contracts.
For the Pelicans, the two “off the table” players were Zion Williamson – for obvious reasons – and Brandon Ingram. While Ingram could potentially be dealt, Marks explains why a sign-and-trade is unlikely.
Note: Ingram is off the table even if he signs as a free agent with the Pelicans. The forward would have at a minimum a three-month trade restriction. The Pelicans can arrange a sign-and-trade with Ingram (if he approves) but base year compensation would make it nearly impossible to put a trade package together.
Ingram’s restricted free agency will loom but it’s hard to see the Pelicans allowing him to leave, making him and Williamson building blocks of the future.
Marks also lists the trade-eligible contracts as well, though most likely won’t be traded. While he lists the likes of Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick, neither figure to be dealt over the off-season unless the team is given an offer they can’t refuse.
Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart both are tradable contacts, but both are extension-eligible this off-season and could sign long-term deals with New Orleans. Darius Miller’s non-guaranteed deal for 2020-21 makes him an attractive trade chip.
That leaves the likes of Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Nicolo Melli, three players entering their sophomore seasons in the NBA. Depending on the available deals, any of the three could be traded, though Hayes seems like the most secure of the trio given his productive rookie season and the team’s lack of size at center with Derrick Favors set for free agency.
All of those tradable deals and draft picks will make the Pelicans players in any big star looking for a trade. Whether that situation manifests this off-season or down the road remains to be seen but the team will be in a position to jump on the opportunity whenever it arises.
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