NBA Rumors: 2 raw diamonds from the New Orleans Pelicans could go to a top team
They are one of the worst teams in the best basketball league in the world, but they have pieces in their roster that may interest championship contenders.
Despite having the worst record in the NBA at 5-22, the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to be major players in the trade market. The franchise has two highly sought-after players drawing interest from many championship contenders.
Sam Amick, in The Athletic, explains that names like Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones are set to attract strong demand from competitive teams. In Murphy's case, Amick even specifies who his main suitor would be.
For a while now, the Golden State Warriors have openly shown interest in acquiring Trey Murphy III. The 6'8" small forward fits the mold of a versatile, athletic player effective on both ends of the court.
This season, Murphy is shooting 38% from three-point range, grabbing 6.4 rebounds per game, a career-best, and averaging 21.2 points. In Golden State, he could become a high-level third option behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
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Herbert Jones, the defensive reinforcement sought by the Lakers
Regarding Herbert Jones, another journalist from The Athletic, Dan Woike, points out which team is pushing harder to try to add him. As explained, the player most linked to Los Angeles Lakers in conversations among scouts and rival executives is precisely the Pelicans' small forward.
Jones cannot be traded until January 14th as he signed a three-year contract extension with New Orleans last July. He is an elite defender, capable of guarding all five positions, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team just two seasons ago, a profile that would fit perfectly with the Lakers' needs.
However, as Woike points out, the Los Angeles franchise lacks both the players and draft assets to convince the Pelicans and overcome their reluctance to part ways with the 6'7" small forward.
Despite the disastrous season they are having, the Pelicans hold valuable assets in the market. With the trade deadline less than two months away, New Orleans is shaping up to be one of the teams to closely watch in the coming weeks.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: 2 diamantes en bruto de los New Orleans Pelicans podrían salir a un equipo top