NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Jusuf Nurkic

1. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans attempted to find a big and bruising interior force who could anchor the interior alongside Anthony Davis in Omer Asik. Unfortunately, Asik’s shortcomings on the offensive end of the floor were far too significant to overcome.

In Jusuf Nurkic, the Pelicans could essentially get the player whom Dell Demps wished he was trading for—and then subsequently re-signing despite the signs it was working.

Nurkic, like Asik, is a 7’0″ big man with a strong frame and the physicality to send a message to incoming slashers. He’s also an excellent rebounder, like Nurkic, who can create opportunities on the offensive glass and keep the opposition off of the defensive boards.

The difference between the two bruising European big men is that, unlike Asik, Nurkic has shown flashes of offensive brilliance.

Nurkic is currently averaging 16.6 points per 36 minutes, while Asik has a career-best mark of 12.2 from 2012-13. He’s shown flashes of being productive in the post, as well as having softer hands than Asik on the dive off the pick and roll.

New Orleans needs a big man who can help Davis down low by providing physicality and enthusiasm on both ends of the floor, and Nurkic can do exactly that.

Must Read: Who's leading the race for MVP?

If the Pelicans are willing to part ways with a high-caliber veteran and, potentially, a draft pick, Nurkic could push the organization in the right direction.