NEW ORLEANS — Losers of eight straight games, the Pelicans are in a difficult position heading toward the NBA’s Feb. 9 trade deadline. They have the talent to make a deep playoff run, but injuries have made it hard to evaluate the roster.
In a Tuesday edition of Locked On Pelicans, host Jake Madison discussed the possibility of New Orleans pursuing a few lesser players who would come in and fill a role for the Pelicans, rather than chasing a starting-caliber or star player.
At guard, Madison discussed Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, one of the better backcourt defenders in the NBA and a champion with the Lakers in 2020.
“He’s not a short guard. He’s not a 6-foot guard and New Orleans has too many of those,” Madison said. “And he’s a defensive menace.”
However because the price would be relatively high, Madison also broke down the possibility of New Orleans acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, a rangy forward/center hybrid who played college basketball at LSU.
“He’s a center, a backup big that rebounds a little bit better, that maybe gives you some rim protection, that could be a very good thing,” Madison said.
Lastly, as the Pelicans stare down a potentially very expensive frontcourt rotation going forward when Zion Williamson’s contract extension kicks in next season, Madison proposed a trade for a cheaper center than Jonas Valanciunas, Charlotte’s Mason Plumlee.
“You could bring him in, play him off the bench this year, move on from Jonas Valanciunas if you wanted to,” Madison said, “and at least have a cheap option for next season.”
The Pelicans have several pathways at the NBA trade deadline, but should be able to improve the team in some way no matter what direction they go.