Does this trade make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Pelicans could definitely use some frontcourt help given that Steven Adams is not that effective of a player in their system, but giving up Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe for Lauri Markkanen and Thad Young does not really help them much.
Thaddeus Young is more of a system player and had a great year because of the position the Bulls put him in and for Markkanen, he does not really fit the Pelicans system either. His pick-and-roll play style and his ability to step out on the perimeter and knock down shots would not work well with an athletic group led by Ingram and Zion.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: This Celtics-Grizzlies offseason trade gives Boston some much needed frontcourt help
New Orleans is going to want to do everything they can to keep Lonzo Ball this offseason and will likely look to offer him close to $20M/year to stay, but Eric Bledsoe on the other hand will likely be on the move.
He did not have a good season with the Pelicans and given that they have Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis, two young guards in their backcourt, Eric Bledsoe is going to be the “odd-man-out” this offseason, especially given that he is owed $37.5M through the 2022-23 season, wit the final year of his contract being partially-guaranteed.
Trading Bledsoe in this deal definitely makes sense, but Lonzo Ball is the third-best player on the Pelicans and they would be foolish to give him up in a sign-and-trade for Lauri Markkanen and Thad Young, two guys that would not really fit their system next to Zion in the frontcourt.
