The New Orleans Pelicans reportedly have several intriguing trade chips, but according to People Insider Jake Fischer, Javonte Green is the Pelican that teams should monitor as the February 6 trade deadline approaches. Fischer said that Green is “generating healthy trade interest.”
New Orleans Pelican Veteran Wing Surprisingly Generating Trade Interest, Defending NBA Champions Interested?
Green is in his first season with New Orleans and has taken advantage of all the injuries to the Pelicans. Despite being on the open market until August, Green has been a major part of the Pels’ rotation since opening night, as they have never been healthy. He has sat out five games and received three DNPs at the beginning of the month.
Green has appeared in nearly as many games this year as he had over the last two seasons. The 31-year-old wing averages 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals with shooting splits of 46.7/38.5/77.6 in 22 minutes. He has reached double-figures in seven of his 38 games.
New Orleans is in 14th place in the West at 11-32. However, the Pelicans have played better lately, winning six of their nine January contests and on a season-high three-game winning streak. The Pels remain without Brandon Ingram, who has missed 18 straight games, while Herb Jones has sat out the last five.
As a result of all the injuries, coach Willie Green has run out 22 different starting lineups. His most used lineup, Jones, CJ McCollum, Yves Missi, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray, has started 12 games together, posting a 2-10 record. In total, 19 Pelicans have appeared in at least seven games, and 17 players average 10 or more minutes a contest. Missi is the only Pelican to appear in at least 40 contests.
Several Pelicans Have Been Mentioned As Possible Trade Candidates
With New Orleans nowhere close to being a contender, there have been several trade rumors involving Pelican players. Ingram and Zion Williamson have been the most often mentioned. But both of the Pels stars have been injured for much of the season, and as discussed above, Ingram is currently sidelined.
Williamson doesn’t have much trade value, so it doesn’t make sense for the Pels to deal him. Fischer said that while the trade chatter about Ingram has really died down, he said the 29-year-old forward could return before the trade deadline to give teams another look. But Fischer did add that he hears that New Orleans remains open to the idea of re-signing Ingram beyond this season if the two sides can agree on a price, which didn’t happen last season when they discussed an extension.
Jones also has been rumored to be drawing interest. However, Jones is out indefinitely due to a shoulder injury. Plus, according to Christian Clark of the Athletic, the Pelicans are not interested in moving the 26-year-old forward. That would theoretically leave Murphy, McCollum, Jose Alvarado, Murray, and Jordan Hawkins as possible trade candidates.
Given their salaries, it would likely be hard for the Pels to move Murray or McCollum even if they wanted to. Murphy is likely off limits, and Hawkins is still very young and probably doesn’t have a market at this point. Alvarado is really cheap and having a career season, so unless the Pelicans receive an can’t refuse offer, they will likely keep the 26-year-old point guard.
Why Interest In Javonte Green and Teams potentially interested?
Back to the question of why there is interest in Green. First, Green is athletic, experienced, and versatile. The 6-4 wing, known for his on-ball defense, can guard four positions, though he is best suited to play two or three. He is also a good rebounder for his size and doesn’t foul a lot.
Offensively, Green is highly efficient, though he is not a huge offensive threat. Green finishes well around the rim, and while he is not a great shooter, he is a career 40% corner 3-point shooter. He has just reached the 20-point mark four times in 233 career games.
Just as significantly, Green is cheap. Green is making $2.4 million this year with a salary cap hit of $2.08 million. As a result, as Hooprumors Luke Adams wrote, Green can be acquired via the minimum salary exception without sending anyone back in return. Therefore, basically, every team interested in Green could acquire him.
Why would the Pelicans trade Green, and Who Could be Interested?
“Trading Green and replacing him after the trade deadline with a player on a prorated minimum-salary contract would help the Pelicans slightly reduce their payroll,” Adams said. “That’s an important factor to consider, given that New Orleans has never paid the luxury tax and won’t want to do so for the first time this season. The Pelicans are currently operating about $1.4MM above the tax line.”
New Orleans has 14 players on standard contracts. So, if the Pelicans do make a deal and don’t take anyone back, they would have 14 days to fill the 14th spot. Once the 14 days are up, the Pelicans could sign a player to a 10-day contract(s). They also could play a little game with the 10-day deals or go with less than 14 players on a standard deal for another two weeks. NBA teams can carry less than the minimum number of players for up to 28 days.
Two-way player Brandon Boston Jr. would be a candidate to be promoted to a standard contract if the Pelicans decided to go that route. Boston, having a career year, is eligible to be active for another 11 games before the Pels have to decide on the 23-year-old.
Teams Potentially Have Interest In Green
According to Dallas Hoops Journal Grant Afseth, the Dallas Mavericks are among the teams interested in Green. Meanwhile, Brian Robb of MassLive believes the Celtics should also consider acquiring Green.
Dallas is seventh in the West, and they have struggled since Luka Doncic went down with a left-strained calf. In the 12 games without Doncic, the Mavericks have won just four times. Not surprisingly, the Mavs—also without Kyrie Irving for a few games—have struggled offensively with those two out.
But when Doncic does return (projected February 2), the Mavericks still could use some defensive help, particularly off the bench. While the Mavericks are just outside the top 10 in defensive rating, they don’t rebound the ball well on the defensive end or create turnovers. They also foul quite a bit. It is the Mavs wings, especially small forwards, that are having the most difficulty on the defensive end and backboards.
If the Mavericks trade for Green, they must make a subsequent move. The Mavericks have 15 players on standard contracts and are just over $500,000 from being hardcapped. The Mavs are offering Daniel Gafford in a trade.
If Dallas doesn’t get defensive help in a trade for Gafford, if they make that deal, they do have some options. Spencer Dinwiddie and Markieff Morris would be the most logical players to be traded to New Orleans or another team to make room for Green.
Boston Celtics
Like Dallas, Boston has struggled since Christmas. The Celtics (29-15) are six and a half games behind Cleveland for the top spot in the East, as the C’s are 7-5 over their last 12. Injuries have played a part in the Celtics’ struggles, but Robb said another issue for the Celtics “hasn’t shown any real growth” lately.
“One area worth monitoring is the backcourt and wing position off the bench, Robb added. Sam Hauser has taken a step back from last season amid back issues. Payton Pritchard has fallen back to earth. Jordan Walsh has shown flashes defensively but still isn’t hitting open 3s (25 percent from deep). Baylor Scheierman isn’t ready to contribute just yet. Jaden Springer has been buried all year. Outside of some surprise contributions from two-way forward Drew Peterson earlier this year, the cupboard has been pretty bare on that front. Those realities made a guy like Pelicans guard Javonte Green look like an intriguing fit for Boston.”
Green started with the Celtics in the summer of 2019 and appeared in 73 games for them from 2019 until being traded to Chicago in March 2021.
Boston has an open roster spot. But if the Celtics acquire Green or anyone else, particularly in a small trade, they will add to their tax bill as they are well over the second apron.
Other Potential Suitors
Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Phoenix, and Sacramento are the other teams that could be interested. The Warriors and the Knicks are up against their hard cap, so they would have to send someone back to acquire Green. So, that may not rule those two teams out, but that is not guaranteed.
Phoenix, Minnesota, and Milwaukee are over the second apron. The Bucks, Grizzlies, Nuggets, Clippers, and Thunder would have to make a subsequent move as they have a full roster.
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