The New Orleans Pelicans have the second-worst record in the league right now and are firmly in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Landing Flagg or another top prospect would be ideal for the Pelicans, as they appear to be in a rebuilding period. What started as a season with high expectations quickly turned into a disaster because of multiple injuries. Leading into the trade deadline, the Pelicans made a couple of moves to reduce their payroll. Now, with the buyout market incoming, the Pelicans are a prime candidate to help contenders.
Help a Contender Out: New Orleans Pelicans Edition
The New Orleans Pelicans have two buyout candidates, and both of them can help contenders. The Pelicans got Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk from their salary-dump trades, and they can further lower the payroll by agreeing to a buyout. The question is whether Olynyk and Brown want to negotiate a buyout.
Bruce Brown Potential Buyout
Bruce Brown is a former champion who can help any contender right now. He is a versatile wing who will be a free agent in the summer. Brown signed a $45 million deal in the 2023 offseason with the Indiana Pacers, but the team traded him for Pascal Siakam. Now, he is out of Toronto in a trade with another star forward, Brandon Ingram.
With the current salary, the Pelicans are out of the luxury tax, and they will remain there next season. Brown is their fourth highest-paid player, after Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and CJ McCollum. At 28 years old, Brown might have an interest in remaining with the Pelicans. Some reports are that the two sides are working on a new deal in the summer, but things can always change.
On Brown’s side, the interest for a buyout would be to play for a contender. Given that he has already won a championship, he might be more willing to find a new high-salary deal. Teams that get him in the buyout market will not have that option unless they are under the cap. The Lakers and the Bucks would love to get him, but they are limited in what they can get on the buyout market due to apron rules(players have to make under $12.8 million with the previous team). Of course, teams like the Denver Nuggets would love to get him back, but they also can’t due to apron restrictions. The Warriors and Kings could be intriguing realistic landing spots for Brown.
Kelly Olynyk Potential Buyout
When Olynyk was traded to the Pelicans, there was a lot of speculation that he would be either rerouted or bought out. Olynyk is 32 years old and doesn’t have much value for a rebuilding team. The Pelicans are not going to be contending this season or even the next one. If Olynyk hits the open market, teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Grizzlies would line up to get him. The problem with Olynyk is that he has one more year left on his deal after this one. Is he willing to forgo that so that he can play for a contender? Unlike Brown, Olynyk has made almost $100 million so far with his contracts (not counting this year).
He might be willing to discuss a buyout with the Pelicans. Teams would love to get a big man who can stretch the floor and convert 44% of his three-point attempts. Unlike Brown, there is no talk about the Pelicans’ interest in keeping Kelly on their roster. The difference is they are in no rush. They can still trade him in the summer or by next year’s deadline. He is their sixth highest-paid player.
When Can the New Orleans Pelicans Make a Buyout Decision?
Teams can buy out players at any point in the season. But there is a deadline on when players can play in the playoffs. Players who haven’t switched teams until March 1st are not eligible to compete in the playoffs with their new team. In other words, unless the Pelicans negotiate a buyout with Olynyk and Brown before March 1st, they are useless for contenders.
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The post Help a Contender Out: New Orleans Pelicans Edition appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.