Does this trade make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans?

Their season may have started very slow, but the New Orleans Pelicans have really kicked things into high gear over the last few weeks. First-year head coach Willie Green has his club locked-in right now and while Zion Williamson’s injury still looms large over the heads of this front-office, the Pelicans would be smart to search for ways to add talent to their roster right now. 

Being just two games back from the Portland Trail Blazers for the 10-seed in the Western Conference, the Pelicans absolutely have a chance to fight for a playoff spot this year and most importantly, this trade gives them value to continue to build with moving forward. 

With Brandon Ingram, Devonte’ Graham, Jonas Valanciunas, Josh Hart and Zion Williamson being under contract for next season, New Orleans does not have much active cap space that they can go out and utilize to add talent in their backcourt, their main weakness right now. 

Derrick White is not a franchise-altering talent for the Pelicans, but he is a steady, reliable combo-guard that could not only play off of Devonte’ Graham well, but be an active facilitator next to him that allows Graham to focus more on being a perimeter shooting threat rather than a facilitator himself. 

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In fact, this trade just opens up a lot more space on the floor for the New Orleans Pelicans, allowing them to become a better all-around offensive team. Jaxson Hayes does not hold too much value to this franchise right now after the team signed Willy Hernangomez to a three-year deal in the offseason and a 2024/2025 first-round pick holds little value right now as well, which is why this trade with the Spurs make sense for the Pelicans.