The New Orleans Pelicans are in a very peculiar place right now. The team has been struggling to enter the playoffs, making only one postseason appearance in the last six years. Now, the Pelicans have Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. This duo is poised to do great things together, as they are the perfect compliments to each other. They can share the offensive load, both have completely different styles of play, and they do not seem to have large egos. However, even they need some help, so there are some Pelicans trade candidates to look over.
Firstly, it has to be said that the Pelicans have some clear gaps in their roster. Looking at their depth chart, Devonte Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are set to start as guards, with some questionable quality behind them in the rotation. Additionally, they have major problems with their bench. Tomas Satoransky is solid, just like Garrett Temple and Josh Hart, but it is not the rotation that will take a team in the Western Conference to the playoffs.
Thus, based on these gaps, the best two Pelicans trade candidates would be Ben Simmons and Tyler Herro.
Pelicans trade candidates
Tyler Herro
If the Pelicans want to get more depth on the guard positions, they should look towards Tyler Herro. After a busy summer in Miami, Herro is the only guy who played a big role on the 2020 Finals team not to get an extension. Duncan Robinson got a huge pay raise this summer, while Jimmy Butler got a ton of money as well. Bam Adebayo's extension starts kicking in this year and Kyle Lowry got $85 million over three years.
Herro seems to be the odd man out, especially when it is taken into consideration that the Heat has no money to spend anymore. When his current contract expires, Butler, Adebayo, Robinson, and Kyle Lowry will still be on the books. It is clear that to get the money he deserves and for Miami to get some value, Herro will need to move on. The Pelicans should jump on this opportunity.
Now, the Heat might be unwilling to trade. That is completely understandable, as Herro is a big part of that team. They are currently getting him for around $4 million per year. However, he will seek tons of money – money that the Pelicans have. Additionally, by the current construction of the Pelicans team, Herro would be the third option on offense. Coming into his third year, that would be a role that probably actively excites Herro.
Pelicans would also get their starting guard to put next to Devonte Graham. Simply said, attacking the postseason with Nickeil Alexander-Walker starting at two-guard is laughable. With Herro, it is a different story. Not only is he an elite shooter, he still has room to grow. The Pelicans can truly go a step beyond if they added Herro to their squad.
Ben Simmons
The real deal when it comes to potential Pelicans trade candidates is Ben Simmons. The Philadelphia 76ers guard has been the talk of the summer. Firstly, he completely disappeared in the series against the Atlanta Hawks, contributing to the eventual loss in a major way. Then, he began this journey of trying to force his way out of Philly. He sat out media day and likely will sit out training camp, with new reports about his unwillingness to even talk to his teammates and coaching staff coming out every day.
Thus, with a large hole in the Pelicans at the starting point-guard position, Simmons would fit perfectly. It makes sense since the trade value of the Australian has fallen significantly. The Pelicans can get a world-class ball-handler and distributor for cents on a dollar. He would fit in greatly with Williamson and Ingram as the player who would be pulling all the strings offensively.
Plus, with his great defensive capabilities, he would be able to run the Pelicans defense as well. Simmons would fit right in and while the Pelicans are not his preferred team, it does make a lot of sense for him to get traded there. Additionally, right now, it is generally believed that he would rather retire than play for the Sixers, so it still makes a ton of sense.
The Pelicans must not waste another superstars' prime with bad moves. Thus, they should surround both Ingram and Williamson with some quality players. It would not be correct to say that Simmons and Herro would make the Pelicans championship contenders, but they would be a stalwart playoff team. After a few more years of their development, then New Orleans would have a good team ready to contend for the highest of high finishes.
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