Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal 

The Pelicans, most would argue, are landing the better player here. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a no-brainer for them. 

After all, they’re not light on big men either. Jonas Valanciuanas has emerged as a starting caliber big in recent years, and Jaxson Hayes is a quality contributor in his own right. 

That doesn’t matter: Allen usurps both. The Pelicans could shop Valanciunas following this deal. Meanwhile, Hayes is a combo big. The Pelicans could keep him on the bench and find ample time for him at the 4 and the 5. 

For the Pelicans, this trade is about shoring up what projects as an otherwise porous defense. Allen’s rim protection would work wonders for them. Granted, they’re giving up a great defender already in Jones, but rim protection is fundamentally more important than perimeter defense. Without a quality big on the interior, Jones’ defense will only travel so far. 

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The Pelicans should be willing to part with Jones to land one like Allen – even if they’re sacrificing Nance Jr. and Graham in the process.