The Pelicans are looking to shore up their frontcourt defense, but there aren’t many impact centers available on the trade market, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com (subscriber link). Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr. has been floated as a potential trade candidate, but Clark hears there is some “doubt” about Orlando moving him this season.
New Orleans doesn’t appear to hold much interest in Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray, but Clark says the Pelicans would make a “significant offer” for Nets wing Mikal Bridges if were ever made available. Multiple reports have stated Brooklyn is not interested in moving the 27-year-old.
According to Clark, the Pelicans may look for help on the buyout market if they can’t find a trade they like. They have an open roster spot and have Malcolm Hill on a 10-day deal, Clark notes.
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Suns have shown some level of interest in Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM has heard the opposite, tweeting that Phoenix isn’t interested in Tate. The 28-year-old is earning $6.5MM this season and has a $7.1MM team option for 2024/25.
- Pistons guard Killian Hayes received a Did Not Play — Coach’s Decision for the first time this season in Wednesday’s loss vs. Cleveland. According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Hayes’ benching felt like “the unofficial end” of the former lottery pick’s time in Detroit, though it’s unclear if Hayes will be moved prior to the February 8 deadline or perhaps let go in the offseason. “It’s just hard to play four point guards,” head coach Monty Williams said. “(Marcus) Sasser is playing off ball just to get him on the floor. I talked to Killian (before the game) and told him this was the route I was going to go.” Edwards hears Detroit nearly traded Hayes last summer before hiring Williams, who was interested in working with the 22-year-old.
- Multiple Nets players, including Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale, have popped up in recent trade rumors. Cam Thomas says the team is doing its best to ignore the outside noise, as Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post relays. “Unspoken really, nobody really wants to talk about everybody’s situation,” Thomas said. “Everybody reads stuff, but I think it’s (an) unspoken (thing). Nobody talks about that kind of stuff. We’re just enjoying the moment that we have here and just playing together as a team. We playing well as a team. Everybody gets along, so we’re just enjoying the moment.“
Someone should look at Hayes. Still young and raw. He needs a place where he can play and develop. Even in G-league. Needs the
Mins to grow. He’s at worst a rotation piece. I still think he can be a starting PG one day.
Unreal how you can expect a 19 yr old to develop. By throwing him into the fire. Then yanking him in and out. Then sitting him. While changing coaches. Classic mismanagement to me.
No reason why a 19-20 yr old can’t play a yr or more in G-league. Get the mins and kind of coaching he needs consistently. Before expecting him to help you at NBA level or saving your coaching job. Happens way too often today.
Hayes has played 5,400 minutes across 209 games. How many more does he need??? He’s just Frank Ntilikina with worse defense and better game management (Frank has also played 5400 mins in his career btw, and he’s 3 years older – Hayes has had his chances).
Simply not an NBA-caliber offensive player at the most important offensive position.
You couldn’t be more right about Hayes. Let’s also add in the fact that he’s started 70% of the games he’s played in the NBA while playing 26 MPG. He’s not a guy who has received inconsistent minutes, or been in and out of the lineup consistently. He’s been given plenty of time to prove himself, and he just hasn’t delivered enough to warrant anything other than a bench/DNP role.
Not every 1st round pick with lots of potential that is drafted will make it in the NBA. Some players turn out to be flops. Ever heard of Darko Milicic, first player drafted in the draft and was a total flop. Major mistake by the Pistons. They passed on Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony. Any one of those players would have helped Detroit win another Title.
Bruce Brown for Wendal Carter Jr and Okeke.
I like your thinking but unfortunately this isnt a 2K video game. Brown doesnt have enough value to get both WBJ and Okeke. I doubt Orlando would do WBJ straight up. Either way, the salaries also dont line up. TO will have to take back the equivalent to Browns full salary back in any trade. WBJ and Ingles would work but the Magic still would do it. Now if it was Shroder and Gary Trent Jr heading to Orlando, WBJ could be in a package coming back.
Guy’s a gangster, his real name’s Clarence… Ah the unoriginal “This isn’t a 2K video game” quote to make a point and seek internet validation. I don’t play 2K. Everyone is so supersmart and lacks authenticity. To say a trade is impossible because you disagree doesn’t make your words written in stone.
Why do the Magic want to dump WCJ?
Not sure but the Bulls will take him in return for Nikola Vucevic…
They also have Jonathan Issac and Mo Wagner, Bitagaze that’s why.
Because he’s a chinadoll…
Orlando will max$$ Franz Wagner next year and Paolo the following year, I don’t know about Jalen Suggs but he also will demand a huge pay raise so I assume that Orlando will trade some players like Gary Harris, Wendell Carter, Markelle Fultz and Chuma Okeke very soon.
Pelicans
this season 21-27
Last season 42-50
Before that 36-46
Before that 31-41
Before that 30-42
Before that 33-49
That’s the past 6 seasons, and more specifically 5 of those are after trading Anthony Davis and having Zion Williamson.
Looks similar to Atlanta Hawks incredibly mid seasons but even they have a couple good playoff runs. I heavily doubt they’ll do anything this offseason or deadline but man do they need to make a big change.
What I’d love to see:
Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen for Zion Williamson, Larry Nance and Dyson Daniel’s
Garland gets to lead his own team again, Ingram I think works best with a traditional point guard and playing off that. Jarrett Allen and Herb Jones would be elite defensively, and then as CJ gets older Hawkins and Trey Murphy compete to take over that SG job.
Cleveland maybe swing bug after a poor offseason? Donovan Mitchell, Zion Williamson and Evan Mobley make a very promising big 3. In terms of role players around them LeVert, Strus and Nance would be great.
Another idea:
CJ McCollum for Markelle Fultz, Wendell Carter Jr and 2 second round picks
For Orlando they swing big and try add some experience, another ball handler and offensive threat to their strong young team. It’s only costing them a reserve guard and back up centre plus some second round picks. As for Nee Orleans they give Markelle a chance to be their point guard and open up a bigger role for Hawkins or Trey at SG, while Carter Jr could also beat out Jonas who’s on an expiring deal for their starting centre job. CJ is a loss in the short term but his deal in the long term doesn’t look great for them. Plus they get picks on top of that.