Would it be smart for the New Orleans Pelicans to trade the No. 10 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft?
The New Orleans Pelicans are a team that has been somewhat of a disappointment over the last couple of seasons. With as much talent as they’ve had on the roster recently, they still have made a return to the postseason since trading Anthony Davis.
Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have both been individually great over the past two seasons, but together as a team, this is a roster that simply hasn’t clicked together. With another top 10 pick heading into the 2021 NBA Draft, the talk surrounding what the Pelicans might do with the asset is exactly what you would expect.
Instead of adding another top 10 talent, there are reports that suggest (subscription required) the Pelicans could end up moving the pick for a veteran to help in the team’s attempt to win now.
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Whether that is the right or wrong move remains to be seen, but at least that’s the narrative surrounding this team with their top 10 pick at the moment.
Even this shouldn’t come as a surprising report, where it becomes complicated is what exactly the veteran market is for the No. 10 pick. And I’m not exactly sure. There’s a significant drop-off in value on the trade market after, like, the top 6. Especially in this year’s draft, no one really knows where the talent drop-off will be.
Even if the Pelicans could land a quality veteran starter, I’m not sure if it would be worth it for New Orleans. Especially in comparison to what they could find at No. 10 in what many believe has the potential to be a deep draft.
Are the New Orleans Pelicans close to making the playoffs?
The Pelicans finished as the 11th seed in the Western Conference and while they were just two games away from qualifying for the play-in tournament, they were a full seven games removed from the 8th seed.
Is a veteran starter the difference between finishing as the 11th seed and making up seven, or more, games to qualify for the playoffs? Especially considering that they may lose Lonzo Ball during the offseason, I’m not sure there’s a non-star on the trade market that would be willing to make up for what they’ll lose in Ball and what they need to do to catch up with the rest of the playoff contenders.
As much as David Griffin, the vice president of basketball operations for the Pelicans, wants to build a contender, I’m not sure the Pelicans are there. There absolutely needs to be some shuffling with the roster, but I’m not sure it would be in the best interest of the team to simply toss away the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft in a move that may or may not be worth it in the end.