Find a third All-Star-level talent to pair with Zion Williamson & Brandon Ingram
Whether or not they bring back Lonzo Ball, the Pelicans still have the ability to potentially go after another big name player, but it would likely have to be via a trade. With Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams contracts combining for about $35M next season, the Pelicans could move both of these guys in a deal to acquire a third, All-Star-level talent.
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Who knows who this player would be that they would target, as not many All-Star caliber players are available via trade right now, but the Pelicans need to be aggressive in their hunt for more talent and their roster is very underwhelming right now.
Even with Lonzo Ball, the Pelicans would still have a roster issue in terms of overall talent, which is why this move needs to be made. The Pelicans currently rank 12th in the league in offensive rating, which is not terrible, but they are only 21st in the league in defensive rating which is why they could realistically look to target a guy like Myles Turner, who is not an All-Star, but is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
An interesting thing to note about the New Orleans Pelicans though in terms of adding talent is that they have always been a team that is very conservative when it comes to spending money. They are one of two organizations in the league, the other being the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats, to never have gone above the Hard Cap and that trend will likely continue into the offseason as well.
