New Orleans Pelicans: Picks #10, #35, #40, #43, #53
Much like the Kings, the New Orleans Pelicans are willing to move out of their lottery pick in this year’s draft, especially since they want to move on from Eric Bledsoe. The veteran guard is owed $37.5M over the next two seasons and his contract for the 2022-23 season is partially-guaranteed.
For weeks now, the Pelicans have been inquiring with teams about possibly moving down from No. 10 in this year’s draft and there have been plenty of teams that have been interested. New Orleans is focused on building with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson for the foreseeable future, but the contracts of Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams are not too favorable to their chances of building a team through free agency over the next several years.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has mentioned that the Grizzlies could be a possible trade partner for the Pelicans in trade talks surrounding Bledsoe/Adams and the 10th overall pick. Memphis does own the No. 17 pick in this year’s draft and they have Justise Winslow, who is owed $13M next season and a player the Grizzlies would like to possibly move this offseason.
Taking on a smaller contract like Winslow’s at the expense of moving down in the draft could definitely prove useful to the Pelicans, especially since Lonzo Ball is a restricted free agent along with Josh Hart on the wing. New Orleans is going to need cap space to potentially bring back one or both of these guys, but they could also be targeting “bigger fish” in free agency.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 3 trade scenarios we’d like to see during 2021 NBA Draft
Their chances of being a great team in the Western Conference are limited right now due to the fact that the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Suns and Jazz are all top-tier teams in the league, but the Pelicans are expected to pursue Kyle Lowry this offseason according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
In order to possibly sign Lowry the Pelicans will not only need to have cap space to do so, but they will need to move on from contracts such as Bledsoe’s and Adams’ which is why they could be willing to sacrifice their 10th overall pick to make this happen. If the Pelicans do not trade this pick though and hold onto the No. 10 pick in Thursday’s draft, then guys like Moses Moody, Josh Giddey, Keon Johnson, Franz Wagner, Jaden Springer, Davion Mitchell and Cameron Thomas are all in-play for them to select.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 3 trade scenarios we’d like to see during 2021 NBA Draft
The best fit in my eyes for the Pelicans is to take Josh Giddey if he is available. With Lonzo Ball being a free agent and likely to depart New Orleans, the Pelicans are going to need a young, high IQ guard that they can lean on, which is exactly the kind of player Giddey is. Not only can he make plays for others, but he does a little bit of everything in terms of scoring, rebounding and assists, which is the type of player the Pelicans need in their backcourt if Ball is gone.
The Pelicans have been engaged in trade talks for weeks now with this No. 10 pick and seeing as there are a handful of teams looking to move up, it should not come as a surprise to see them move down in the draft. Moving Bledsoe/Adams is more important for them right now, so it is looking like New Orlenas will not be selecting 10th overall.
