New Orleans Pelicans
The Lakers are no strangers to getting trades done with the New Orleans Pelicans, as they did so back in 2019 when they acquired Anthony Davis, and they could potentially get another deal done with them involving Dennis Schroder.
While they are definitely a team on the verge of being something special, the Pelicans have not been known for making all of the right decisions over the years. They have made the playoffs just twice since rebranding to the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the 2013-14 season, but with young, All-Star talents in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, they definitely have the capability to possibly earn a playoff spot through the play-in tournament next season.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done roster-wise for the Pelicans if they want to make this dream a reality. Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball are both key free agents for New Orleans this year and there have been reports that the Pelicans are “unlikely to match other significant offers” given to Lonzo Ball this offseason.
Ball is a restricted free agent and is coming off his best season in the league, averaging 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 37.8% from three-point range. The young point guard is a critical part of the Pelicans backcourt, which is why they could be in need of a guy like Dennis Schroder should Lonzo Ball opt to sign elsewhere in free agency.
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Pretty much anybody but Ingram and Zion is “moveable” on this Pelicans roster this offseason, especially guys like Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, who are owed a combined $35.1M next season. Trading one of these guys in a sign-and-trade for Dennis Schroder definitely makes sense for New Orleans, especially since they would be able to replace Lonzo Ball fairly easily.
Another “kicker” for New Orleans is that they do have the 10th overall pick in the draft that could be used as trade bait. In a report from Zach Harper of The Athletic, the Pelicans could potentially use this draft pick as leverage to add an experienced, veteran guy who can contribute now to their roster, which is exactly why Dennis Schroder would make sense for them.
With guys like Bledsoe and Adams, both of which are capable of contributing to a championship caliber team, as well as some tradeable draft picks, New Orleans could very much be the team to watch in a potential sign-and-trade deal involving Schroder this offseason.
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They could be in need of a key point guard and with Ingram and Williamson, all the Pelicans need is that third key talent in order to break through and make the postseason. Dennis Schroder can be this third talent for them and be the point guard they have been looking for ever since they traded away Chris Paul in 2012.
