New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans made a major move ahead of the deadline, acquiring CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers. They are on the up and up, as their Big 3 of McCollum, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram should make some noise this upcoming season as long as Williamson is healthy.
Even without him, they gave the Phoenix Suns all they could handle in their first-round matchup, pushing the series to six games. Jose Alvarado was a breakout candidate at the point guard position, but if the Pelicans swung for the fences and acquired someone such as Dejounte Murray, New Orleans could really put a scare into opponents.
McCollum and Ingram are more than capable of running the offense, but having a table-setter as talented as Murray to get them into their spots for easy shots would open things up offensively. Murray would be electric in the pick-and-roll game with Williamson as well.
Defensively, Murray would help a lot. The Pelicans at times struggled on that end of the court as Herb Jones was left on an island by himself. Murray would give Willie Green another defensive ace to rely on, enabling Jones to match up with players on the wing and in the frontcourt.
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The asking price should be of no issue for the New Orleans Pelicans to meet, either. They have five first-round picks between 2023 and 2024 and multiple first-rounders every year through 2027 courtesy of the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday deals.
2022 first-round pick Dyson Daniels could also be included to sweeten the deal. Recent first-round picks such as Kira Lewis Jr., Jaxson Hayes, and Trey Murphy III could also be discussed.
