Why This Trade Makes Sense For The New Orleans Pelicans

So far this year, things have not gone the way the Pelicans had hoped, as they are just 8-12 to begin the year, but they have a lot of potential for the rest of the season because of how good Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are.

Both of these guys are All-Star caliber players, but this team is missing that third high-level scorer that most playoff caliber teams have. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram can each go for 20+ on any given night, but they do not have anyone else they can turn to on this roster and feel confident giving the ball to. 

Zach LaVine is the guy they need and he would compliment both Williamson and Ingram quite nicely. Both of New Orleans’ young stars are very athletic players that look to push the pace, which is exactly the type of guard LaVine is. 

The 25-year old combo-guard made a name for himself being a high-flying, acrobatic dunker in the dunk contest, but LaVine has turned himself into a three dimensional scorer on the offensive-end of the court. The production he would bring to this New Orleans team would not only help them in their quest to make the playoffs, but give them three All-Star level players in their 20’s that they could build around for years to come. 

While the Pelicans have been good at times defensively this year, they have played rather poor on the offensive end of the court. They currently rank 18th in scoring and rank 27th in three-point shooting percentage.

The addition of Zach LaVine would not only help them in those categories, but they would not have to give up too much in order to get him. Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined cannot do what LaVine does and giving up two first-round picks and a second-round pick for him is very reasonable.

Creating a “Big 3” in New Orleans has to be the ultimate goal of this franchise and could set them up for plenty of playoff success down the road. Adding Zach LaVine to their roster make the Pelicans a sure-thing playoff team this season and allows them to build this team into a legit championship contender.