NBA Trade Rumors: The New Orleans Pelicans are in the market for a 3-and-D players
Over the last few days and weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the possibility of teams targeting Anthony Davis via trade. However, conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t even thinking about that possibility right now.
Instead, they’re focusing on how to improve the roster ahead of this year’s NBA Trade Deadline to ensure that they are one of the top 8 teams in the Western Conference and qualify for the playoffs.
And with the way the team has been playing as of late, they desperately need a jolt to jump back into the thick of things in the West. The Pelicans are reportedly in the market for a defensive-minded, 3-point shooter.
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"[via Hoops Rumors]Some of the names that Brenner hears as potential targets in New Orleans from conversations with team executives, scouts and an assistant coach are the Pistons’ Stanley Johnson, Bulls’ swingman Justin Holiday, Hawks’ swingman Kent Bazemore, Nets’ veteran DeMarre Carroll, and even J.R. Smith – players who can knock down open threes and use their length on defense. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders also adds Lakers’ trade candidate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to that list."
Someone that can come in, play defense and hit an open jumper if the opportunity presents itself. And according to a recent report, a few names that the team is reportedly eyeing are headline by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kent Bazemore.
Both of these players fit the mold, but could be costly for the Pelicans, especially if they continue to wait until a bidding war begins for these two players – and one will erupt if this gets closer to the NBA Trade Deadline.
The Pelicans are two games out of the 8th spot in the Western Conference at the moment, and are two games under .500. New Orleans has some big decisions to make during the summer, but in an attempt to sidestep total disaster, this team can’t afford taking a step back this season.
And not making the playoffs would be exactly that. Keep an eye on the Pelicans over the next few weeks. This is a team that almost has to make a move. Their future practically depends on it.