New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Buddy Hield, SAC 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #39)
Sacramento Kings Receive: C Steven Adams, F Wes Iwundu, NOP 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #10), NOP 2023 1st Round Pick (Pick Swap, More Favorable to SAC)
Sacramento is going to be looking for the best available talent in the draft this year with the 9th overall pick, but if they were to also have the 10th pick, they would have a lot of options to pursue. This trade package with the Pelicans gives the Kings everything they need from draft assets to even a security blanket in case they lose Richaun Holmes to free agency.
Steven Adams was traded to the Pelicans last year and shortly after arriving in New Orleans, he signed a questionable two-year, $35M veteran’s extension. At this time, this seemed like the right move for the Pelicans, but now they are regretting this move because both Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez outlayed Adams during the 2020-21 season.
He is a bruiser in the paint and can absolutely help aid the Pelicans in rebounding should he remain healthy, but New Orleans wants to get younger and they have the young frontcourt talent to be able to do so. There is not an immediate need for a guy like Steven Adams, which is why trading him to the Kings could definitely be an option.
As mentioned before, Richaun Holmes is a free agent this year and he is the best center available this offseason, which does not make things easier for the Kings in terms of potentially bringing him back. The Charlotte Hornets seem like real competitors to sign him away from Sacramento this offseason, which is why they will need a back-up plan in case things go south.
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He may not be a high-level, impactful player, but Steven Adams could fit in quite well with the Kings given his ability to set high-ball screens on offense and provide second-chance opportunities. De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Halbiurton play a lot of “downhill,” pick-and-roll basketball, which is why adding Adams to this rotation could be beneficial.
Having back-to-back picks in the lottery this year at 9 and 10 would be great for the Kings to add two more young talents and then they would also potentially be able to move up in the 2023 NBA Draft with this pick swap from New Orleans.
On the other side of things, the Pelicans ranked 26th in the league this season in three-point shooting percentage and they desperately need to add some perimeter threats. They do not have J.J. Redick anymore, they really do not have any reliable shooters on their bench and one of their best three-point shooting threats in Lonzo Ball is a free agent.
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Bringing Buddy Hield back gives the Pelicans an immediate three-point shooting threat to lean on, something Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson desperately need in terms of help. The Kings need more young talents and the Pelicans need shooting, so it would appear that this trade could help both teams out, but does this trade truly make sense for both of these organizations?
