4. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have a genuine superstar in Anthony Davis. Beyond Davis, however, is the troubling reality that the Pelicans have an absence of players who can consistently create their own offense against quality opponents.
With Davis becoming more of a well-rounded offensive threat by the season, adding Brook Lopez would give the Pelicans an ideal 1-2 punch down low.
Davis does it all on both ends of the floor, but asking him to do it all is why New Orleans is in its current predicament. Lopez could help alleviate the burden as a low-post scoring threat who can face up or back his man down for an easy 2.
Lopez can also provide Davis with a shot-blocking counterpart who can help stabilize the Pelicans’ abysmal defense.
The Pelicans would need to include a 2017 NBA Draft pick, which may or may not be the right move in this instance. Beyond the pick, New Orleans can utilize Tyreke Evans’ expiring contract and include Alexis Ajinca’s low-cost deal to sweeten the package.
New Orleans shouldn’t go all-in on a trade for Lopez, but for a team with no available star power beyond Davis and a glaring void at center, it’s a deal worth considering.