How This Trade Impacts New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have to decide what direction they want to take the franchise this offseason. Seeing how the 2021-22 season concluded, they should be looking to upgrade the roster and make another push for the postseason.
Imagine what this team could have accomplished with a healthy Zion Williamson in the lineup? Now, take that lineup and add the versatile Jerami Grant to it as well and Willie Green has something cooking in New Orleans.
Grant would provide the Pelicans with their own version of positionless basketball that has gotten popular. A lineup of CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Grant, and Williamson would be a handful for teams on both ends of the court.
While the trade package may seem steep, New Orleans has the assets and depth to that they shouldn’t think twice about acquiring a player the caliber of Grant. Jaxson Hayes could be relegated to spot duty with a healthy Williamson, as Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. are still in the fold.
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Devonte’ Graham’s minutes as the backup point guard could go to Jose Alvarado, one of the breakout Pelicans down the stretch of the season. Kira Lewis Jr. should also be back in the lineup after dealing with an injury this season to help provide minutes in the backcourt.
While trading away the No. 8 pick could sting, New Orleans has plenty of young players already in the mix. Adding another one that may not get on the court right away won’t help them advance any further in the 2023 postseason than they did this year.
