OKC Thunder: Pelicans floor spacers offer intriguing deadline options

Pelicans forced to move on:

Having fully ranted on this situation let’s get to the matter at hand which is the New Orleans Pelicans status heading into the trade deadline.

Not forgetting the above diatribe, it’s also important to note the Pelicans haven’t necessarily been a model franchise. Instead of selecting and developing youthful talent the Pels repeatedly took big swings to add short term bandaid fixes hoping the results would justify their efforts.

They’ve also endured bad luck along the way such as DeMarcus Cousins Achilles injury – although there are those who might suggest Dell Demps should’ve done more to keep Cousins regardless of the injury as it was at least demonstrating a commitment to Davis.

But Boogie is with – oh right that other super team and on an extremely economical contract. Davis will follow although it seems unlikely the Pelicans ownership group will bow down to a conference rival and just hand over Davis pre-trade deadline (or at least if they are smart they won’t). Boston still has the best potential trade chips between their assets and accumulated picks.

Why Pelicans are likely to wait until the offseason:

Although Davis and Rich Paul (as per above) are telling other clubs he’ll only be a one year rental if they trade for him (yes that is also strong arming) the Pelicans will likely wait until the summer for several reasons. They’ll want to see who ends up with the top draft pick and whether that team will make an offer for Davis. The one way to get over an exiting superstar would be to replenish the gaping hole with another projected to be a generational talent like Zion Williamson.

That, and it will allow Boston to be involved in the trade talks. Of note, the Celtics can’t participate at this time unless they trade Kyrie Irving due to what is known as the Rose rule. Irving would need to opt out of his current contract first and then the Celtics could proceed in trade talks and also work to cement Irving via re-signing him (although his earlier proclamations of intending to return are now also up in the air).

Bottom line, it wouldn’t behoove the Pelicans to expedite a Davis trade when so many questions remain and the best potential partners won’t be free to barter until the summer.

What it does mean is New Orleans is open for business on their other assets and has openly stated they will entertain calls specifically for E’Twaun Moore, Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic as per the Zach Lowe podcast.