Among the 13 teams who participated in the NBA Draft lottery, there's arguably no team better equipped to take a leap than the New Orleans Pelicans.
They were the only team that made the postseason among those selecting within the top 14, netting their pick via the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2019 Anthony Davis trade.
They gave the Phoenix Suns a legitimate scare in the first round, taking the top-seeded West squad to six games. (Which feels a bit less impressive in hindsight after their early playoff exit.) New Orleans did so with their most dynamic player in Zion Williamson failing to register a single minute on the court this season due to injury.
There's reason to believe that the New Orleans Pelicans are right on the cusp of becoming a dark horse contender as early as next season. In order to do that, they'd need to cash in on their prospective chips for some more win-now firepower. That's why leveraging on their number eight overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft is the right move to make.
Here are the two best trades the Pelicans can make with their No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft:
2 best Pelicans trades with 8th pick in 2022 NBA Draft
Trade #1 – Washington Wizards
Pelicans trade: CJ McCollum, Kira Lewis Jr., 8th pick
Wizards trade: Bradley Beal
The New Orleans Pelicans took a swing at a secondary star when they acquired CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers before the trade deadline. That move paid huge dividends as McCollum went ballistic on the rest of the league after swapping uniforms. He averaged 24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on a stellar 49.3% shooting clip. All of those stats would be career highs if stretched for a full season.
But once the Suns deployed Mikal Bridges on him, his shooting plummeted to sub 40% in six postseason games. For as awesome as CJ McCollum was for New Orleans, he's not in the same league as Bradley Beal.
There are a handful of reasons why using their assets on an upgrade at the guard spot is the right move. Bradley Beal is right in the middle of his prime at age-28. If the Pelicans can negotiate a trade that involves an extension, they'll have Beal for the rest of his prime up until age-32. This compared to CJ McCollum, who will be 31 once the 2022-23 season gets underway.
At his best, Bradley Beal is an all-around more productive player than McCollum. He's made three All-Star teams compared to the latter's none and is a much more dynamic scorer and finisher around the rim. For the price of a first-round pick that would likely need time to develop, plus Kira Lewis Jr., who has shown potential but can be bumped in the rotation for Jose Alvarado, the Pelicans can lock-in a legitimate backcourt star in Bradley Beal to form a big three with some serious bite.
Trade #2 – Phoenix Suns
Pelicans trade: Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., Garrett Temple, 8th pick
Suns trade: Deandre Ayton
The chatter surrounding Deandre Ayton following their early playoff elimination indicates he may have his foot out of the door in Phoenix. He's a restricted free agent who could catch the eye of several teams. But none offer an opportunity to form a formidable young core alongside Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, both players who are entering their primes just like the Suns center.
For this scenario to happen, the Pelicans must be able to court Ayton into wanting to come to New Orleans. The Suns could agree to facilitate with an 8th pick sweetener to take back contracts in a sign-and-trade. Phoenix would take on Jonas Valanciunas who could take over their starting center spot in place of Ayton, while both Larry Nance Jr. and Garrett Temple, who's contract is non-guaranteed after next season, offer cap relief once the next offseason rolls around.
After a run of extreme small ball throughout the 2010s, the big man is slowly returning back to vogue in the past few seasons. The Cleveland Cavaliers found success playing not one, not two, but three seven-footers in their starting lineup. Pairing Deandre Ayton with Zion Williamson would be the most physically imposing frontline in the NBA, featuring two behemoths who both possess the ability to put the ball in the bucket with ease.
The New Orleans Pelicans have gotten their taste of the postseason already. Now it's time to make the necessary moves to get to the next level.
Follow Us
Subscribe