The NBA trade season officially starts on November 16 when several players become eligible to be traded. Are the New Orleans Pelicans the team to watch over the next two months?
New Orleans has dealt with major injuries throughout the season and is currently without its two stars, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Pelicans coach Willie Green has used an NBA-high 17 starting lineup and had his top first unit together for just three games.
Given their current situation, New Orleans has a lot of decisions to make. New Orleans is at the bottom of the Western Conference standings at 5-20. The Pelicans, who have lost two straight and 17 of their last 20, have not won consecutive games since starting the campaign at 2-0.
Western Conference Cellar Dwellers Are Team To Watch As NBA Trade Season Officially Begins
Ingram (ankle) and Williamson (hamstring) are out indefinitely with an ankle injury. Jose Alvarado (hamstring) is out for at least another week. Meanwhile, Jordan Hawkins (neck), Daniel Theis (neck), Javonte Green (ankle), and Karlo Matkovic (back) could be available when the Pelicans step on the court against Sacramento on Thursday.
New Orleans is eight games out of 10th place in the West. The Pelicans have the conference’s worst scoring differential, at 11.6 points a game. Since November 1, they have been 29th in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive rating.
New Orleans is not technically out of playoff contention due to the NBA Play-in Tournament and the fact the Pelicans aren’t devoid of talent. However, it is unlikely that the Pels they will be playing come mid-April. More concerning is the Pelicans’ financials.
Given Ingram and Williamson’s money and injury history, it is doubtful that New Orleans will run its core group together. Ingram and Williamson have played together in just 154 games over six seasons, and the Pelicans are 81-73 in those contests.
New Orleans is a tax team this season. The Pelicans project to be over the cap next year with just 10 players signed and Ingram on an expiring contract. However, they do have some flexibility with Williamson’s contract not being fully guaranteed.
What Should The Pelicans Do?
New Orleans needs to shake things up. I like Ingram more than Williamson, though it may be more beneficial for the team in the future to trade him. One thing New Orleans can’t do is allow Ingram or Williamson to leave without getting anything in return. Both players are too talented and productive when healthy.
Zion Williamson
Despite being immensely talented and skilled, Williamson just can’t stay healthy. Many of his issues relate to his weight, but the 24-year-old came into the season in the best shape of his life. While Williamson did many good things in the early going, he only played in six games.
Before suffering the hamstring injury, Williamson significantly improved his ability to get to the line, rebound, and pass the ball. However, he was off to a slow start shooting the ball, connecting on just 45% of his field goal attempts. He did produce three double-doubles while averaging 22.7 points a game, reaching the 30-point plateau twice and defending well.
Injuries A Major Issue For Williamson
Williamson played in a career-high 70 games last season. However, Williamson played in 184 games through his first five seasons, though he missed the entire 2021-22 season. So, that equates to 45 games per season (or about half the games) in the previous four seasons he has played. He is in the second season of a five-year, $197 million extension with multiple provisions.
“Being a professional means eating right, taking care of your body,” former NBA veteran Patrick Beverley said recently on his PatBev Podcast. “This new generation takes 5 years to get where they need to be… [Zion Williamson] isn’t a bust, but he’s not living up to his potential.”
The 2021 No. 1 overall pick is making $36.7 million this season. He signed a five-year, $197.2 million contract that includes several provisions. However, Williamson’s value has dropped exponentially, and the Pelicans may be able to get just one first-round pick in exchange for the big fella.
Thus, ESPN’s Shams Charania believes New Orleans won’t throw in the towel on their franchise cornerstone, at least not yet. Charania added that the Pelicans plan on keeping the 6-6 forward and building around him.
Brandon Ingram
Ingram is making $36 million in his final year of a five-year pact. The Pelicans have been rumored to be looking to trade the 27-year-old since at least since the summer following their acquisition of Dejounte Murray.
New Orleans may decide to work out an extension before July 1. Earlier today, Charania reported that Ingram asked for $50 million as the team and his representatives discussed an extension.
The Pelicans and Ingram engaged in contract extension conversations in addition to canvassing the league for a trade. Ingram’s previous representation sought $50 million per season in a contract extension, sources said, which was near his maximum number. No deal occurred. The Pelicans, already over the luxury tax line this season, are facing higher salary cap bills for years to come. Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin has taken a sustainable approach to roster building without going into the tax — New Orleans has never been a taxpaying team — but signing Ingram to a pricey extension would push the Pelicans not only over the tax but into the apron, further restricting how they add to their roster. The offseason acquisition of Dejounte Murray and recent extension of Trey Murphy III have pushed the Pelicans’ payroll next season to $157 million, $31 million below the luxury tax.
Ingram is an elite three-level scorer, though he has averaged fewer than 60 games per season through his first five seasons with the Pelicans. The Pelicans, who are 149-156 in the 305 games that Ingram has appeared in, reportedly highly value Ingram and his new representation (Klutch Sports). Charnia added that the team is likely to be in constant contact about an extension.
Are there any teams that would give anything of value up for Ingram, knowing how much it’ll cost to keep him on his next contract?Then, there’s the timing of this injury. The NBA trade deadline falls on Feb. 6. If Ingram doesn’t make his return until after the new year, that will give potential Ingram suitors limited time to evaluate his health going into the final stretch of the season. Would that scare some playoff contenders away?
What Would Be The Affect Of The Pelicans Re-Signing
As Charnia and Guillory pointed out, New Orleans hasn’t closed the door on re-signing Ingram. But at what cost?
With potential huge financial implications, New Orleans would likely not be able to keep its core together if it re-signs Ingram. Murray doesn’t figure to be going anywhere since the Pelicans just traded for him, and Murphy, whose 4-year, $112 million extension doesn’t kick in until next season, can’t be traded until July 1. Jordan Hawkins has shown tremendous improvement, and Yves Missi is having a strong rookie season.
That would leave CJ McCollum and Herb Jones as the most likely candidates. To that end, Charania added that teams have already started expressing interest in the Pelicans’ supporting cast players, such as Jones and McCollum.
McCollum is an excellent second or third option. He will make a little over $30 million in the final year of his deal. McCollum has been a 20-point scorer since becoming a full-time starter in his third season. However, his shooting and assist numbers have dropped this year as he has had to carry the load more often.
Meanwhile, Jones is known as a defensive specialist and is on a very friendly contract following his extension, with his max single-season salary being less than $15 million. Jones, who made a career-best 41.8% from deep in 2023-24, has improved as a shooter the past two seasons.
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