How This Trade Impacts New Orleans Pelicans
It would be shocking to see the New Orleans Pelicans partake in trade negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers again after how the Anthony Davis situation unfolded. It would be even more shocking if they were to take on Russell Westbrook.
The Pelicans need to swing a trade for an impact, big-name player. Keeping Zion Williamson happy should be their No. 1 goal as there are already whispers about his family wanting him out of New Orleans.
But, it would take reaching a level of desperations the Pelicans likely haven’t yet reached to make a deal for Westbrook. Outside of the name recognition he brings, he wouldn’t help the Pelicans’ current situation much.
New Orleans needs more players that can stretch the floor offensively to open things up and that get after it defensively. Those are not two qualities that Westbrook would bring to the table and they’d be trading away multiple players that do.
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Surrendering that kind of depth for an ill-matched Big 3 would be disastrous for New Orleans. It would put them in an even bigger hole than they already are, as they would struggle to make a playoff spot with a depleted depth chart behind Westbrook, Williamson, and Brandon Ingram.
If for whatever reason, Griffin is looking to sabotage the franchise and not get another job, he would make this deal. He has struggled to build the roster up around Williamson and Ingram, but a trade like this would be the nail in the coffin for his job.
