New Orleans Pelicans

If there is one thing we know about teams that are coached by Stan Van Gundy, it is that they are always primarily focused on the defensive end of the court. In his first year with the Pelicans early on, we are clearly seeing Van Gundy’s teachings as the Pelicans currently rank inside the Top-5 in total team defense.

With Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe both being tough-minded perimeter defenders and with Zion’s athletic abilities to defend the paint, the New Orleans Pelicans have a great all-around defensive-minded team, but could use a veteran player in the frontcourt who has made a living off being a great defender. 

When Zion Williamson is out of the game, the Pelicans normally move Brandon Ingram to power-forward and bring in perimeter-oriented players for more firepower on the offensive end of the court. Against bigger and better teams though, this philosophy may not work as Ingram is not the strongest player, especially when defending in the low-post.

The addition of a guy like Draymond Green gives the Pelicans a veteran guy who could come off the bench and contribute in a big way. New Orleans has zero depth behind Williamson in the frontcourt and bringing in Green would be a big boost to their team defensively and offensively as well. 

Green’s overall abilities to make plays on the offensive end of the court should be heavily valued by any team targeting him and with his abilities to throw lobs to Zion Willamson, the Pelicans could put together one of the better frontcourts in the NBA.

The financials of a trade for Draymond would be tough, especially since he is owed $22.25M this season, but if the Pelicans want to solidify themselves as a sure-thing playoff team in the West, acquiring Draymond Green is the way to go.