Why This Trade Makes Sense For The New Orleans Pelicans

Lonzo Ball has been a fantastic guard for the Pelicans this year and is one of their better players outside of Zion and Ingram, but his future with this organization is very much up-in-the-air. With Eric Bledsoe playing well, rookie Kira Lewis Jr. looking solid when he is given opportunities and with Nickeil Alexander-Walker starting to come into his own in his second season, there may not be a future for Ball in New Orleans since he is in the final year of his contract. 

Acquiring two key role players in Thaddeus Young and Denzel Valentine could be huge for the Pelicans. New Orleans does not have much depth in their frontcourt and also do not have many reliable options to turn to outside of Zion Williamson. As a result, getting Thad Young could be huge for them because of his overall playmaking abilities and experience playing in this NBA for as long as he has. 

Denzel Valentine is not a playmaker, nor is he a frontcourt player, but he has emerged as a very reliable three-point shooter this season, something the Pelicans desperately need. Lonzo Ball has stepped up as a big-time perimeter shooter for the Pels, which is why getting Valentine to replace him could be crucial to their chances of making the playoffs. 

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram cannot carry this team on their own and if they somehow make the playoffs with the team they have now, they will get blasted in the first-round by the Los Angeles Lakers or the Utah Jazz. This team does not have the firepower yet to be a legit threat in the Western Conference, which is why they need to continue gaining assets and talent.

Even with Lonzo Ball, this team’s potential in the playoffs is very small, which is why getting two role players for the price of one makes a lot of sense. Giving up two second-round picks in 2021 does not really affect the Pelicans much either since they will be looking to add talent via free agency next offseason and through future drafts with first-round picks. 

Acquiring Thaddeus Young and Denzel Valentine is a step in the right direction and could open the doors for New Orleans to make even more trades before the NBA trade deadline to bolster their overall talent on their roster.