The NBA offseason is record-short this year, only 72 days. With that in mind, there is a lot to do to prepare for the December 22 start date. We will be reviewing teams both in need of change, and rumored to be making changes. These 72 days will be FULL of dumb decisions and messy roster drama, and it’s time to catch up. Up next? The New Orleans Pelicans. Last year’s offseason was an absolute whirlwind; completing a full overhaul that didn’t deplete their competitiveness as many expected. They have one of the cleanest cap sheets in the league, and more picks than one could ever need. What’s their biggest asset? Potential. This team, both in skills and assets, is oozing potential. Let’s see where they go from here.
Draft: Significant
This draft is significant for the Pelicans because they have so much power in their hands. The Pelicans currently hold the 13, 39, 42, and 60th picks in Wednesday’s draft. In addition, they get first round picks from the Lakers for the next three years. This is both a blessing and a curse depending on what Trajan Langdon chooses to do with it. Look, after completely POACHING the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade, and walking all over every GM in last year’s draft trading around to whatever pick he wanted, I would trust this guy with my first born. But, smart GMs can often fall weakness to the shiny toy that is first round picks (please see Danny Ainge for reference). Stockpiling picks is great for trade value, but only if you’re actually trading them.
The Pelicans are a VERY young team. Excluding JJ Redick and Jrue Holiday, the majority of their impact players have been drafted in the last five years. Not saying that’s a bad thing, but four more draft picks is going to bring more underdeveloped talent into the mix; especially considering the weak talent pool in this draft. New Orleans would be wise to package at least some of these picks in a trade. More importantly, do they want to play around in this draft at all, because they have enough assets to trade up to pretty much anywhere in the lottery. Hey, get Minnesota to bite and you can make LaVar’s dream of the Ball brothers on the same team. That would actually be a lethal combination since they have trained together their entire life, watch Ball in the Family and you’ll see their absolutely insane natural chemistry.
Recommendation: Package the picks in a trade for a higher draft position or a veteran player.
Trade Market: Significant
The trade market is VERY significant for the Pelicans for multiple reasons. First, as stated above, they can’t keep all those picks. It is irresponsible to draft four more prospects with no confident role for them and no mentor. In addition, the Pelicans are on the cusp of being a playoff team in the West. The West is significantly more competitive than the East, and if they were in the East this wouldn’t be as pressing. However, to break through the glass ceiling that is the West’s playoff picture, they need to make a few moves.
What will the Pelicans do with Jrue Holiday as the NBA reopens for business?
— PelicansNOW (@PelicansNOW) November 15, 2020
Many believe a trade is imminent, with a Sports Illustrated report claiming the team is looking for a top-10 pick in Wednesday’s draft in any deal for the star guard.
MORE: ?https://t.co/cMIeCMM9es
Jrue Holiday, a longtime Pelican, is the subject of trade rumors every season. However, New Orleans may pull the trigger this year. The race for Holiday is contentious. The buzz around him is louder than any of the FA’s entering the open market, in which there are notable names. Just in the last hour of scrolling through Twitter, I see that the Celtics and Nuggets are leading the pack for Holiday. The key point here is what the Pelicans will get in return for him. Rumor has it they want a top-ten pick, but I don’t love this. Again, stop hoarding your picks like a squirrel. Losing Holiday would be a MAJOR hit to roster leadership, and you can’t leave that hole. With the Celtics, Holiday’s contract matches both Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker; doesn’t answer their needs at center, but neither is a loss.
In addition, JJ Redick is always paired in trade rumors as an easily movable piece. It happened in Philly too, and he was never traded. He, like Jrue, is a significant leadership role in the locker room that needs to be addressed. JJ Redick is also a straight up sharp shooter on the court. The man would be American sniper if a basketball were a weapon. He’s a reliable shooter and that makes up for a lot of the support passing roles that some of the younger guys like Lonzo excel in.
Recommendation: Three-way trade to clean capsheets and get reasonable return on your draft picks.
Free Agency: Potentially Significant
The Pelicans are the proud owners of the NBA 2019 Most Improved Player, Brandon Ingram. However, he’s a restricted free agent and owed cash. Although the Pelicans have an impeccable cap sheet, he is one of many upcoming extensions; another negative result of many young players. They’ll also have to go into the luxury tax to pay him. I would argue that they should focus on keeping Ingram happy in free agency, but their NBA offseason value is really in the trade market. They have so many assets and interest from other teams, they are really in control. Although not the same extreme, the Jrue Holiday race is the same position New Orleans was in during the Anthony Davis race. They can ask for whatever they want, package whatever they want, and they’ll be happy with the return.
Breaking down the cap sheet. JJ Redick’s number is an estimate if it descends. Still a little functional space there, although the Pelicans have 15 on the roster. pic.twitter.com/LwIAQT2Bfy
— David Fisher (@Fish_TBW) July 1, 2019
Recommendation: Offer Ingram the max and stick to the trade market for roster adjustments.
Staff Retention: Not Significant
Coaching is not an issue for the Pelicans the way it is for other teams. They just hired Steve Van Gundy as their head coach in the offseason, and we will watch that play out. I would argue that leadership on the roster is going to have more of an impact on this particular team than coaching. Ball, Hart, Ingram, Alexander-Walker, Hayes, Williamson; they ALL need a veteran to guide them to success. A coach can do it to a point, but chemistry in the locker room has a huge impact (see the Sixers as an example).
Recommendation: Trade for a damn veteran already!!!!
Do the Pelicans need more help than we think? Let me know on Twitter @swalshy63 and check out my other great Belly Up Sports content!
