The Next Step the New Orleans Pelicans Must Take in Their Reconstruction

The New Orleans Pelicans currently have the second-worst record in the league and are firmly in the running to secure Cooper Flagg in the upcoming Draft. The arrival of the Duke prospect or another promising player would be ideal for the team, which seems to be in a rebuilding phase. What started as a season with high expectations quickly turned into a disaster due to multiple injuries.

Before the Trade Deadline, the Pelicans made a couple of moves to trim their roster. Now, with the arrival of the free-agent market, the Pelicans are prime candidates to assist contenders. Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk were acquired through trades, and further roster cuts can be made by agreeing on a buyout. The question lies in whether Olynyk and Brown are willing to negotiate a buyout.

Bruce Brown is a former champion who can help any contender at this moment. He is a versatile forward set to become a free agent in the summer. Brown signed a $45 million deal in the 2023 offseason with the Indiana Pacers, but was later traded to Toronto for Pascal Siakam. Now, he moves on from Toronto in exchange for another star forward, Brandon Ingram.

With the current salary situation, the Pelicans are below the luxury tax threshold and will remain there next season. Brown is their fourth-highest-paid player, following Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and CJ McCollum. At 28 years old, Brown might be interested in staying with the Pelicans. Some reports suggest both parties are working on a new deal in the summer, but things can always change.

For Brown, a buyout interest would involve playing for a championship contender. Having already won a championship, he might be more willing to secure a new deal with a higher salary. Teams seeking him in the buyout market won't have that option unless they are below the salary cap. The Lakers and the Bucks would love to acquire him, but are limited in what they can offer due to apron rules (players must have earned less than $12.8 million with the previous team). Teams like the Denver Nuggets would gladly take him back, but face restrictions due to the waive-and-stretch clause. The Warriors and the Kings could be realistic and intriguing destinations for Brown.

Kelly Olynyk's Situation

When Olynyk was traded to the Pelicans, there was much speculation about him being waived or bought out. At 32 years old, he doesn't hold much value for a team in rebuilding mode. The Pelicans are not expected to compete this season or the next. If Olynyk hits the market, teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Grizzlies will line up to acquire him. The issue with Olynyk is that he has one year remaining on his contract after this season. Is he willing to give it up to play for a contender? Unlike Brown, Olynyk has earned nearly $100 million from his contracts so far (not including this year).

He may be open to discussing a buyout with the Pelicans. Teams would love to secure a big man who can stretch the floor and shoot 44% from three-point range. Unlike Brown, there is no talk of the Pelicans' interest in retaining Kelly on their roster. The difference is they are not in a rush. They can still trade him in the summer or by next year's deadline. He is their sixth-highest-paid player.

Teams can buy out players at any point in the season. However, there is a deadline by which players can join teams for the playoffs. Players not traded by March 1st are ineligible to compete in the playoffs with their new team. In other words, unless the Pelicans negotiate a buyout with Olynyk and Brown before March 1st, they are of no use to championship contenders.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El próximo paso que deben dar los New Orleans Pelicans en su reconstrucción