The New Orleans Pelicans are within striking distance of a playoff spot, but how might their trade deadline plans take shape?
With a superstar who clearly had one foot out the door, the New Orleans Pelicans were painted into a corner. But they ultimately sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers last July for a nice return that most notably included Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and multiple first-round picks. Add in the lottery luck that landed them the No. 1 pick and Zion Willamson, and the Pelicans were easy to see as a sleeper team in the Western Conference.
But Willamson has surgery on his right knee in October, delaying his debut, and a 13-game losing streak gave the Pelicans a 6-22 record at the close of business on Dec. 17.
New Orleans lost to the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, as Williamson made his debut and authored a memorable fourth-quarter run of 17 straight points. But they’ve still won 10 of their last 15 games, and at 17-28 they sit four games back of the final playoff spot in the West. On the pessimistic flip side, they are also only 1.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings for the second-worst record in the conference.
Before their recent run and the optimism attached to Williamson’s looming and ultimate return, the Pelicans looked like a clear trade deadline seller. Now, two weeks ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, that is far less clear.
As a veteran on an expiring contract, Derrick Favors has been an easily rumored trade chip for Pelicans’ vice president of basketball operations David Griffin. But Favors has had a markedly positive impact on both ends of the floor, and the team’s run of better play has coincided with his return from injury after a month-long absence. Still, depending on how the next six games go for the Pelicans, Favors could be on the move.
Jrue Holiday has been a top rumored trade target for other teams who are looking to add a proverbial key final piece. At 29 years old his timeline does not perfectly align with New Orleans’ young core. But with a guaranteed year as well as a player option left on his contract after this year, he could also be a productive player and veteran leader going forward as the Pelicans try to reach the next level.
In a similar vein to Holiday, J.J. Redick is a possible trade asset or a valuable veteran for the Pelicans to keep around. He is shooting nearly 46 percent from 3-point range this season, so he’s still plenty capable of producing in a bench role and extra valuable as a guy with plenty of playoff experience. Redick has another year left on his contract after this one.
Further down the roster, role players like E’Twaun Moore, Frank Jackson and Josh Hart could be on the radar to be moved before the trade deadline. Moore has played more lately, as Holiday and Redick have missed time, averaging 12.1 points per game in his last 14 games prior to Wednesday night. He’s on an expiring contract, so the next seven games for New Orleans before the deadline will surely shift the likelihood of him being moved.
Hart was part of the return in the Davis trade, so he could be seen as a piece of the future in New Orleans and it seems unlikely he’d be moved so soon. Jackson doesn’t play a lot (13.8 minutes per game), and if everyone is healthy (specifically Holiday, Ball and Redick) his playing time really dwindles. In terms of a possible return, the Pelicans might be better off just keeping Jackson.
The Pelicans outlook is automatically brightened by Williamson’s return, with the possibility of a legit run to a playoff spot with all their key pieces available. In terms of a trade deadline plan, the next six games will go a long way to tell the tale. Adding a veteran big man could be on the table if they are buyers, and a couple of notable veterans could wind up gone if they are sellers. There’s a strong case for standing pat too, barring a losing streak that quickly drops them down in the playoff race, and that feels like the most likely scenario.