The Pelicans are receiving “healthy” trade interest in veteran wing Javonte Green, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Green, 31, remained available on the free agent market for most of the summer before signing a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Pelicans in late August to help fill out their standard roster.
While he wasn’t necessarily projected to play a significant role, Green has seen the floor early and often this season for the Pelicans, who have dealt with a serious of injuries to starters and top reserves and have yet to have a fully healthy roster.
In 38 games (14 starts) for New Orleans, Green has averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 21.7 minutes per night, registering a solid shooting line of .469/.385/.776. The 6’4″ swingman is considered a solid, versatile defender who can match up with bigger wings and forwards.
Green also has trade appeal due to his contract, which can be acquired using the minimum salary exception without requiring a matching salary in return. All 29 other teams – outside of a small group who are operating less than $2.09MM away from their hard cap for the season – would have the ability to trade for Green, including first- and second-apron clubs.
Trading Green and replacing him after the trade deadline with a player on a prorated minimum-salary contract would help the Pelicans slightly reduce their payroll. That’s an important factor to consider, given that New Orleans has never paid the luxury tax and certainly won’t want to do so for the first time this season for a roster that’s currently 11-32. The Pelicans are currently operating about $1.4MM above the tax line.
The Pelicans have to trade anyone with trade value outside of Zion, Herb, Murphy and Missi.
Green is making winning plays but this season is pretty much over for the Pels so I dont see why keep him around instead of getting some assets. Also if he regresses his value will go to near zero, so it is safer to make the trade now.
You just named everyone with trade value
Pels have basically had their worst season in years and it’s off the back of a playoff spot last year. Their core is all in their prime and not delivering results, It’s definitely time to blow it up.
Ingram is on an expiring deal, Zion plays well when fit but that’s not often so while he’s active you should trade him. Herb is great defensively but doesn’t do anything on offence. CJ is a good vet so I wouldn’t be in a rush to move him but I’d be taking offers. DeJounte has been poor but his value won’t really decrease so I’d just stick with him for now and hope he improves.
Trey Murphy is 100% the guy I’m keeping and not picking the phone up for. Missi has been real solid and great value late in the first round.
Other than that everyone else is up for grabs.
As for how you rebuild, tank for Cooper Flagg. Not hard you’re already the 4th worst team in the league. I think in that situation Murray Trey Cooper Missi, you’re going to want to add a shooter that’ll space the court, ideally with some size, Id be going in on Santi Aldama in free agency. A genuine 7 footer who’s shooting 39% from 3 this year. He’d be a nice fit with this group.
As for the trades I’d try get back picks.
Herb I know Dallas were keen I’d ask for 2 firsts or take back Naji and a first if that’s possible.
For Zion, Brooklyn needs a franchise player, they have loads of first round draft picks and have expiring deals. Sounds crazy but give me either Ben Simmons or Bojan and Melton plus 2 firsts and we have a deal.
Then lastly Ingram, package him and Hawkins to Utah for Collins and either Sexton or Clarkson.
After that in the offseason fill out with veterans and stable role players. I’d go for Steven Adams and Cam Payne. Then lastly JaeSean Tate and Paul Reed.
That should leave you looking something like this plus a couple extra future draft picks..
Murray Murphy Flagg Collins Missi
Jose/Sexton CJ Tate Aldama Adams
Payne Boston Reed
How exciting a 6’4 guy playing PF
All they need to do is trade D Murray and picks for a C starter. Murray’s contract is looking horrible now.
This team doesn’t need to get younger or any rebuild, trading Zion etc etc etc.
Just trade D Murray for a C. Sign Fultz after