Does this trade make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans?
Getting rid of Eric Bledsoe will likely be on the agenda for the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason, especially since they have Kira Lewis Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in their backcourt alongside Lonzo Ball. Not to mention, Bledsoe is owed $37.5M through the 2022-23 season with $19.4M being partially-guaranteed in the final year of his contract.
Freeing up this cap space now and getting some key contributors in Cory Joseph, Josh Jackson and Mason Plumlee in return definitely makes sense for the Pelicans, even if they are giving up Jaxson Hayes, who has a lot of potential to grow into something special.
The Pelicans are high on Jaxson Hayes and have declined to take offers on him in the past, but if they are going to be getting Mason Plumlee in return, then they could finally be willing to ship Hayes somewhere, in this case, to Detroit.
Cory Joseph is a veteran guard who could definitely be of use to some of their young backcourt talents, Josh Jackson has reshaped his career and can be a key contributor in the second-unit and Mason Plumlee can contribute either in the starting unit or off-the-bench.
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New Orleans would address almost all of their offseason needs in this trade with the Pistons, which is why this trade fully makes sense for them. If they are able to get the Pistons to agree to terms on this deal, then the Pelicans would definitely be set up to compete for a playoff spot next season at a higher level than they already are.
