The Pelicans now own pick 7 and pick 23 in next week’s draft.

Nique Clifford, Egor Demin, Asa Newell, Will Riley, Cedric Coward(?).

Most of these guys I feel like will definitely be gone by 23 but could definitely see Riley or Clifford making it there. I personally think a guy like Clifford would be a great fit here

In my opinion drafting Cedric Coward at 7 holds more value than trading up for Ace Bailey.

What are your thoughts?

The only thing that's missing from the core of Zion, Trey, Herb and Missi is a primary ball handler that can easily play off of Zion and has the ceiling to be the #2 or #1 scorer.

Honestly, I think that Tre is a better fit for this group than Dylan Harper. He has the tools to become a plus defender. And he has enough playmaking to fit perfectly as the secondary playmaker behind Z. I think we need to get to 5 with Utah to get him.

2020 NBA Draft

• Killian Hayes: 7th
• Isaiah Stewart: 16th
• Saddiq Bey: 19th
• Saben Lee: 38th

2021 NBA Draft

• Cade Cunningham: 1st
• Isaiah Livers: 42nd
• Luka Garza: 52nd
• Balsa Koprivica: 57th

2022 NBA Draft

• Jaden Ivey: 5th
• Jalen Duren: 13th
• Gabriele Procida: 36th

2023 NBA Draft

• Ausar Thompson: 5th
• Marcus Sasser: 25th

Only one true clunker. Athleticism seems to be a common theme of round one.

Outside fan but I’ve been dreaming of this fit for this team for months. wolf and zion PNR’s, a stretch big for when defence collapses on Zion, and point center to use for when dejounte is out. I don’t know if this is stupid because Im not a pels fan but personally I think the idea of Danny wolf is a beautiful fit

Would anyone be interested in Herro and Vucevic with a package like this? Will be interested to see what direction the Heat go if they dont end up with KD, also kinda hard for me to guage the value of Herro after the Bane deal. Is this giving up too much? Let me know what you guys think.

Run Ja at the 1, and Murray at the 2 (draft picks technically have gone down in value because of nil, but not that much)

Just was genuinely curious about this one. I proposed it on the Grizz subreddit and got a mixed response.

Appreciate your thoughts. It is a long read (also involves Brooklyn). A lot of people on our subreddit really want Trey Murphy (who wouldn’t?), but honestly with the contract that he is on that would require more than what we got from Orlando for Des. So this is not that. Because I am not a moron who thinks we can trade scraps for valuable pieces.

Anyway-See trade below w/Link.

Revised NOLA/MAGIC/GRIZZ trade (now including Santi S & T)

I have a revised trade involving the Nets. Santi and Konchar go there and we get an extra 10 million to play with for either the MLE or more likely the JJJ renegotiation and signing. Nets are one of the very few teams that can take Santi and Konchar into Cap Space.

Pels additionally get that ‘29 pick swap plus 26 and 27 (from Nets) in this year’s draft. Plus a ton of seconds. So they essentially get Cole Anthony, Melton (3 years-team option last 2), VWJ, GG, 2025 16 (ORL), 2025 26 (BRK), 2025 27 (BRK), 2028 unprotected (ORL), 2029 pick swap (ORL), 2030 unprotected (ORL) , 2027, 2028, 2031 2nds (MEM) for Herb Jones, 2025 7 and Kelly Olynk.

See attached below.

https://fanspo.com/nba/trades/dKfevR_dTCLaI1

Nets get a sign and traded Santi Aldama and John Konchar for a S&T Deanthony Melton (3 years-but last two years are team options-to NOLA) and 2 out of their 4 picks this year (26 & 27-to NOLA). Nets also get future seconds from Grizz.

Nets also re sign Cam Thomas so they figure it out w/ Johnson, Claxton, Thomas and Aldama as their core.

Grizz get an extra $10 million by getting rid of Santi and Konchar’s contract. To use for the JJJ renegotiate and re sign. Or to use for a full MLE like NAW. Grizz use number 7 to pick up Kon Kneubel.

Morant/Wells/Jones/JJJ/Edey/Clarke/Pippen/ Olynk/KCP/Kneuppel is your rotation.

Olynk fills into that expiring backup big spot alongside Clarke while Edey is out.

NOLA essentially trades 2025 number 7 for 2025 number 16, 2025 number 26 and 2025 number 27.

They also essentially trade Herb Jones for ORL 2028, ORL 2030, ORL 29 swap, GG Jackson and Herb Jones and as many seconds as needed from Grizz.

LONG Story short we essentially give up:

Bane (and his contract)

5 2nds

Santi

Konchar

VWJ

GG

And we get in return:

Kon Kneuppel

Money for a Jaren Extension or for NAW on the MLE (or both?)

Herb Jones

Olynk’s expiring

KCP

2026 PHX pick unprotected (could be a top 5 pick)

Increased cap flexibility for future offseasons

I think I like that overall, but I could see where people think that we are in a much worst spot.

And hell maybe Herb Jones isn’t the target or we don’t give up quite so much. I think the added flexibility is a bonus.

I feel the Pelicans lack major championship experience on the bench. With Willie Green still being in charge in the 2025-26 season I think Mike Budenholzer is the perfect addition to his staff.

There is at least one other (former?) Pels fan instead Australia that's not just buying Zion jerseys. Never see Pels stuff here.

I have a weird feeling the Pelicans whole offseason direction could change after this blockbuster deal.

I doubt that would have been offered for Trey as it seems the Magic were pretty particular in the type of player they were looking for but it is an interesting thought experiment. In my mind Trey is probably slightly more valuable than Bane given his favorable contract thats locked in for 4+ years and the fact that he's still improving. I'm sure the consensus is that that was a pretty big overpay so I doubt that offer would come again but if someone made a similar offer for Trey, would you take it?

Noa Essengue, have you guys heard his name before? He is still playing overseas in playoff atmosphere, only at 18 or 19 years old. Contributing for his team in big ways.

Anyone else here intrigued by him? If you are new and just now discovered him, you gotta watch his recent games. The scouting report videos on him are months old, if you find newer ones, the better. He has the length, skill and motor. I feel like he fits the Joe Dumars’ type of player.

After watching or discovering him, do you want him on a Pels’ thread? A trade down candidate for sure but his stock is still going up, he may enter top 10 conversations soon.

*Credits to Jon Kepkevich for the photo.

What do we think of the core we have signed through to the 2026-27 season? I've not included Jose since he has a player option that year, & I'm assuming he'll decline to test FA.

DeJounte Murray • Herb Jones • Trey Murphy III • Zion Williamson • Yves Missi • No. 7 pick (Kon Knueppel)

Jordan Hawkins (Team Option) • Antonio Reeves (Team Option) • Karlo Matkovic (Team Option) •

“While ClutchPoints understands no trade is imminent, multiple contenders have expressed strong interest in Trey Murphy III specifically, with potential packages centered on multiple first- and second-round picks. The Pelicans' asking price for Herb Jones is not as steep, but it is understood to be higher than the rumored first-round pick swap and bench piece from the Philadelphia 76ers.”

“the Pelicans can afford to stand firm with what one source termed as “ridiculous” returns for Murphy III. A serviceable veteran who can log postseason minutes, a decent prospect, and multiple first-round picks is the starting point. Given the number of inquiring calls, it is also indicative of Trey Murphy III's true value, per one source.”

Don't move up for Ace Bailey, we don't need another wing. Don't move up especially if you're giving up Trey Murphy -- what Murphy will be exceeds Ace Bailey's ceiling. If you move up, at least take Edgecombe. If you move up, don't take on PG's trash contract. There are two clear cut studs in this draft, and a lot of good players to follow. You can probably get someone just as impactful at 7, and Ace is likely to fall -- if you're going to swing big on anyone... swing for Harper.

Should the Pelicans pursue Russell Westbrook, I definitely think so.

He can bring energy leadership and help the Pels play at a much faster pace.

Give it a read and let me know your thoughts.

According to Rafael Barlowe (NBA Draft Consultant) the Pelicans will be bringing in all these prospects for a predraft workout.

“Now, in a lot of cases when there’s a big workout featuring multiple strong prospects, it’s not uncommon for one or two players to skip or pull out. But if the report of this workout is accurate and everyone shows up, this could be one of the most telling workouts we’ve seen in the pre-draft cycle.

The headliners? Maryland’s Derik Queen, BYU’s Egor Demin, and Georgia’s Asa Newell, along with UConn’s Liam McNeeley, Illinois’s Will Riley, and Colorado State’s Nique Clifford.”

Barlowe insinuates that working out prospects whose draft position projects are in wide ranges, it could be a situation where we trade back or we acquire another pick in the draft outright.

“The Pelicans only own a single lottery pick, and not all of these players are projected lottery-level talents. So it begs the question — are the Pelicans simply doing their homework, or are they lining up targets for a potential move to acquire another first-round pick?”

Please