New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Thaddeus Young
San Antonio Spurs Receive: F Wenyen Gabriel, C Jaxson Hayes, NOP 2023 1st Round Pick (Swap, More Favorable to SAS)
Outside of the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, it is hard to pin-point a team who could show interest in Thaddeus Young, but the New Orleans Pelicans are definitely an interesting team to keep tabs on.
With Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, as well as key additions in Devonte’ Graham, Jonas Valanciunas and others, the Pelicans have a chance to really grow this year and contend for a playoff spot.
When you look at the Pelicans roster, they are pretty balanced at every position except at the power-forward position, where they have nobody to back-up Zion. At times, we may see the Pelicans go small and possibly have Brandon Ingram at the power-forward spot when Williamson is resting, but they could really benefit from adding an experienced guy like Thad Young.
He can pass, score, rebound and defend, which is why he is an excellent player to add behind Zion Williamson in the Pelicans depth chart. Moving Wenyen Gabriel is no problem at all, especially since the Spurs would just waive him upon arrival to free up a roster spot, but Jaxson Hayes’ situation is a little complicated right now.
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The former 8th overall pick in 2019 was arrested on July 29 after getting in an altercation with police officers who responded to his residence over a report of domestic violence between him and his girlfriend.
Footage of the event has since been released and the issue is ongoing, so it is unknown what will happen in regards to Hayes and any potential suspension from the league.
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Assuming he is good to go and play at the start of the 2021-22 season, Jaxson Hayes should definitely be a player the Spurs should want from the Pelicans, especially given his potential to be a rim-protector on one end and a high-flying big man on the other. In two seasons with the Pelicans, Hayes has averaged 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and has shot 64.7% from the floor.
