Does this trade make sense for the Pelicans?
When you look at Tomas Satoransky, Jaxson Hayes, and Naji Marshall on this New Orleans Pelicans roster, it is clear to see that there is no longevity with any of their production.
Satoransky is on an expiring contract that the Pelicans will not renew at the end of this season, Hayes is competing with Valanciunas and Hernangomez for minutes in the Pelicans’ frontcourt and Marshall is going to be competing with rookie Trey Murphy III moving forward.
If the Pelicans can move some or all of these guys for two impactful players in Dragic and Boucher, they should definitely try to make this trade happen, even if it means giving up some draft picks in the process.
The New Orleans Pelicans have not made the playoffs since the 2017-18 season and they currently sit in last place in the Western Conference early on in the year. With Ingram and Williamson healthy and on the court, this team will look a lot different than they do right now, but moves need to be made in order for this team to turn things around.
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Goran Dragic and Chris Boucher provide some stability for one of the worst benches in the league and the best thing about adding both of them is that the Pelicans would be adding some much-needed depth at two positions they have no depth at.
Behind Devonte’ Graham, the Pelicans really do not have any reliable ball-handlers/facilitators right now, and not only can Dragic be this kind of player, but he can be a double-digit scorer off-the-bench as well. As for Boucher, New Orleans has zero-depth behind Zion Williamson, hence why their frontcourt has really struggled.
Chris Boucher can score from perimeter to post, he can be one of the better rebounders off the bench for this team and he can be an avid shot-blocker, which is why his addition would be more meaningful than that of Dragic’s.
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Seeing as they have a handful of draft compensation over the next few seasons due to trades with the Lakers and Bucks, New Orleans should be willing to make this kind of a deal, especially since there is no long-term liability connected to these players.
The worst thing that can happen is that Goran Dragic and Chris Boucher do not help this team make the playoffs or advance far in the postseason and their contracts expire. This would give the New Orleans Pelicans $26.4M immediately in free agency next offseason to potentially add a third-star talent next to Zion and Ingram.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Raptors-Sixers Trade Is Headlined By Ben Simmons
There are moves to be made in New Orleans right now and the worst thing they can do is continue playing with the team they have. If they want to make the playoffs, a trade like this will have to happen for the Pelicans and this deal with Toronto is very favorable to them both now and heading into next season as well.
