Does this trade make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans?
Maxi Kleber and Josh Richardson are solid additions for the Pelicans in terms of adding role players around Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, but what do they really have to gain from this trade? Lonzo Ball emerged as a third key, young talent during the 2020-21 season and replacing him with Kleber/Richardson sets the Pelicans back even further in their rebuild process.
New Orleans has been to the playoffs just twice over the last decade and this move does not bring them any closer to making the playoffs. The situation the Pelicans are in right now is very frustrating because it seems like they are going through the same cycle every couple of seasons.
Right as it looks like the Pelicans are starting to grow as a team and be on the verge of making the postseason, they flip their roster around and trade some of their better players for future assets. At some point, New Orleans needs to take charge and make it clear that their future is now.
Ingram, Williamson and Ball can be a very strong trio for a long-time to come, which is why they should stay invested in these three guys and build around them. Instead of being “sellers” for once, the Pelicans need to be “buyers” and look to bring in more talent around their “star” players.
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Signing Lonzo Ball to a long-term deal this offseason is a smart move for the Pelicans. Executing a sign-and-trade with him is not, which is why the Pelicans would be smart to do everything they can to keep Ball in New Orleans long-term.