3. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the teams that are reportedly interested in acquiring Lauri Markkanan from the Chicago Bulls. Markkanen is a restricted free agent that is currently stuck in limbo, as a majority of the salary cap space has been used and Bulls’ management is holding steady on the asking price for him.
If the Pelicans do not want to pay the price Chicago is asking to land Markkanen, or another team swoops in and lands him, they should turn their attention to the Phoenix Suns and Jalen Smith.
Salary-wise, Smith would cost a lot less than Markkanen, as he is entering the second year of his rookie deal. Markkanen has been discussed as landing a contract that pays $15 million annually. A first-round pick would also not be needed for the Pelicans to land Smith, as Phoenix is looking for pieces that are better suited to help them win now.
Smith would make for an intriguing long-term pairing with Zion Williamson in the frontcourt. His ability to space the floor is exactly what is needed alongside Williamson, who is arguably the most dominant player in the paint in the NBA today.
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Having a frontcourt player alongside him that can bring the Pelicans at least one frontcourt player away from the basket will make things even easier for the former Duke product on the interior.
