The New Orleans Pelicans season is hanging on by a thread. They are currently 8-21 and in last place in the Western Conference. However, because of how watered down the conference is this season, they are only 3.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, who have identical 11-17 records, for the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
New Orleans was coming into the season with high hopes. They believed they could challenge for a playoff spot, but they also thought that they would have Zion Williamson in the lineup to help them.
Williamson underwent a procedure on his fractured foot and there was some optimism that he would return before the season. We are now in mid-December, Williamson has yet to get on the court and his rehab has been stalled because of soreness in his surgically repaired foot.
That is a deflating blow knowing that their best player likely won’t be returning to the court any time soon. But, could the team be getting some help via trade?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Sixers Eyeing These NBA Stars In Ben Simmons Trade
David Griffin had a peculiar offseason, as they didn’t fill some of the holes on the team and it is showing with the team’s record. However, any ill will that was developed from those moves could disappear if he pulled off a trade for Ben Simmons.
Simmons requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers months ago, but Daryl Morey has held steady on what he wants in return. Could the Pelicans meet their asking price? According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, New Orleans has discussed a deal with the 76ers and made some aggressive proposals.
“I heard the Pelicans discussed trading future first-round picks and pick swaps with the 76ers for Ben Simmons, league sources told HoopsHype. Brandon Ingram was not involved in the talks, I’m told, at least as of now. With Zion Williamson’s latest injury setback, it’s unclear how that could move the needle for the Pelicans in their efforts to land Simmons.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Sixers Eyeing These NBA Stars In Ben Simmons Trade
If Griffin can pull off a deal for Simmons without including Brandon Ingram, that would be a coup for the Pelicans. They are flush with draft capital from the deals with the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks that saw Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday leave town.
While the New Orleans Pelicans don’t have a top-25 player to offer the Philadelphia 76ers, they would be able to provide them the draft capital to help build a package to acquire one.
Philadelphia’s end goal is to acquire a player to be the 1B to Joel Embiid. They would prefer a deal involving Simmons brings that back, but essentially expanding to a three-team deal may be the way to go for them to get exactly what they are looking for.
