The New Orleans Pelicans are in an interesting position. Their season was completely devastated by injuries, which landed them the seventh pick in this year’s stacked 2025 NBA draft. The Pelicans’ future draft picks are going to be essential to their organization, as it is starting to look like Zion Williamson will never be healthy enough to lead a team to an NBA championship. There were some Pelicans’ rumors that they were willing to dangle Herb Jones to move up in the draft order. We are going to take those rumors a step further by creating a bold Pelicans trade idea in the NBA Trade Machine.
Our Pelicans NBA Trade Machine idea looks like this:
Pelicans receive: Paul George, 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft
Philadelphia 76ers receive: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones
This trade may sound a little wild, but it may just work. The Pelicans aren’t interested in tanking. They still have Zion, Dejounte Murray, and other win-now pieces.
At the same time, they need to better position themselves for the future if Zion continues to have injury issues.
This trade allows the team to pick up a star veteran, who, if healthy, can help them compete in the playoffs, as well as increasing the team’s opportunity to build with the Pelicans’ future draft picks.
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Taking on Paul George’s contract is risky, but getting the third overall pick and a second top-7 lottery selection in a loaded draft can ease their pain.
Best case scenario is that a healthy Zion, PG, and Murray can lead the Pelicans on deep playoff runs while their top picks develop. Worst case scenario, they have two top picks to build around while George’s giant contract burns a hole in their pocket. Either way, this Pelicans trade proposal gives them some options.
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