The New Orleans Pelicans are a team that likely has contending aspirations next season, as they have decided to run it back with stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Perhaps the team could make a difference-making move this offseason.
In this article, we will go over a trade scenario that involves Zach LaVine heading to the New Orleans Pelicans. The package would be centered around CJ McCollum, young prospects, and draft compensation.
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis, 2024 First-Round Pick (NOP), 2024 First-Round Pick (LAL)
There is no doubt that this could be a solid trade for both teams involved, and there are clear reasons for both teams to follow through with this deal. Here is why both franchises should consider a trade with this framework.
The New Orleans Pelicans Land A Third Star
Talent is what ultimately wins championships in the NBA, an there’s no doubt that Zach LaVine is a talented player. He is a true three-level scorer who has shown that he can thrive next to other ball-dominant stars such as DeMar DeRozan, and his off-ball game and 3PT shooting should, in theory, make him an elite fit next to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
This past season, Zach LaVine averaged 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG while shooting 37.5% from 3PT range. Though he clearly can’t bring a team to the playoffs consistently by himself, it is clear that LaVine’s skill set makes him a fantastic complementary star. He would get plenty of wide-open 3PT shots off the gravity of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.Â
The one underrated aspect of acquiring Zach LaVine will be the fact that he can step into a bigger role if Williamson and Ingram are injured, which is relatively likely since both players have shown to be injury prone during their time with the New Orleans Pelicans. At times, LaVine has shown that he can get wins by himself, and he is much better than CJ McCollum in that regard.
Acquiring Zach LaVine would give the New Orleans Pelicans the firepower to keep up with the rest of the Western Conference, and would make them one of the favorites to win the championship. Of course, they would have to get past teams like the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets to make the NBA Finals, but they would have the talent level to potentially do so with his trade.
Of course, giving up CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis, and two first-round picks means sacrificing some depth and future assets to win immediately. With that being said, it is absolutely worth it to do so: Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are one of the most talented duos in the franchise’s history, and it’s time for the team to go all-in on them.
The Chicago Bulls Get A Solid Package For Their Rebuild
With this deal, the Chicago Bulls would get a decent trade package that would aid them with their rebuild. Adding a veteran to be a leader in the locker room, a couple of prospects, and picks seems like the right play for a team that is stuck in mediocrity as of now.
Even though he is not in his prime, CJ McCollum is still a really good player. He averaged 20.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 5.7 APG for the New Orleans Pelicans last season while shooting 38.9% from 3PT range. He could definitely be a solid locker-room presence for the team and teach the young players on the roster the things he has learned throughout his time in the league. McCollum could also be traded later on down the line by the franchise to acquire more assets.
The two prospects that the Chicago Bulls would get in this trade scenario would be Dyson Daniels and Kira Lewis Jr., both of whom really need minutes to aid their development. Dyson Daniels profiles as a solid defensive forward with playmaking ability, and he would be able to take on the toughest defensive assignment every evening. With that being said, his overall offensive game needs some work. Kira Lewis Jr. would be a solid option at either guard position, with the young guard notably shooting 44.1% from the 3PT range last season on limited volume.
The draft picks included would both convey during the 2024 season and would be a way to help the Chicago Bulls get prospects relatively soon. Overall, this deal would help the Chicago Bulls rebuild relatively quickly.
This Would Be A Win-Win Trade For Both Teams
This deal makes sense from both franchises’ perspectives. For the Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine is arguably their best asset. They are not good enough to compete with him, and the best move is to trade him for value while they still can. Even though teams are lower on LaVine than before, getting some prospects and first-round picks for him is entirely doable. Zach LaVine would also want to go somewhere he can compete for a championship, and the New Orleans Pelicans are a team that fits the bill.
The New Orleans Pelicans are a natural partner for any team that is ready to move their star. They have a good amount of trade assets and a number of stackable contracts that can match up with almost any star-level player’s deal. From their perspective, it makes sense to go for Zach LaVine as well: he is younger than CJ McCollum and is also a competitive-ready player that can help the Pelicans go for a championship immediately.
We will see whether the two teams ever contact one another about this potential deal. However, it is fair to say that this is a realistic trade scenario, and this potential New Orleans Pelicans’ big three would be amazing.
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