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.