We all saw how scary the New Orleans Pelicans can be at full strength. Together, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Steven Adams form one of the best core groups in the entire NBA.
This season, the Pels were once looking strong as the top seed in the West, but injuries have taken their toll, and they find themselves 4th in the Conference amid a 6-game losing streak.
But help could soon be on the way for Zion and co. as the NBA trade deadline approaches. According to league Insider Jake Fishcer, the Pels are considering a number of trade options this season.
New Orleans has been repeatedly mentioned as a suitor for Hawks forward John Collins, and the Pelicans have certainly registered their interest with Atlanta, sources said. The teams would seem to be natural trade partners, with the Hawks eager to add defensive-minded players and the Pelicans looking to find greater offense and more shooting, although there has yet to be significant traction between the teams, sources said.
Collins, 25, has faded into obscurity in Atlanta, but he’s got enough talent to be better utilized somewhere else. With a deep and talented supporting cast in New Orleans, it could be the big break John needs to revive his career.
If not, the Pelicans may also think about a move for Raptors wing OG Anunoby.
Any pursuit of Collins, or a dreamier target like Raptors forward OG Anunoby — should the Raptors truly make him available — would induce some critical accounting for New Orleans’ cap sheet, however.
The Pelicans are clearly in win-now mode, which is impressive considering it’s only been a few years since Anthony Davis was traded.
Now, executives across the league consider New Orleans to be a legitimate threat to win the title.
How Far Can The Pelicans Go This Season?
While the Pels are still mostly an unproven bunch, they have everything you could want in a championship team, including star power, youth, leadership, and a perfect mix of offense and defense.
“Even more in the playoffs,” an opposing general manager told Heavy Sports. “New Orleans is real. When they have their main guys, they’re legit. When they’ve got CJ and Zion and Brandon Ingram playing, that team’s legit.
The only thing holding the Pelicans back at this point is injuries, but it shouldn’t be long now before their top guys are healthy and ready to play again. Hopefully, they stay on the floor long enough for us to see the Pels compete at full strength.
But if they somehow pull off a trade for Anunoby or John Collins, New Orleans might just make themselves the favorites in the West.
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