New Orleans Pelicans: 3 trade possibilities for Nikola Mirotic

1. Houston Rockets

Few teams around the league are craftier than Daryl Morey’s Houston Rockets come trade deadline time. Their willingness to make a deal that would add a little depth to the roster has been heavily noted, with the team battling through injuries and a thin rotation all season. As they approach the deadline, adding wing scoring is likely to be a top priority, and Nikola Mirotic could very well be the best target available to satisfy that need.

Mirotic makes perfect sense for the Houston Rockets. Mike D’Antoni and company turned P.J. Tucker, who averages 2.7 3-point attempts for his career, into a player attempting 4.9 and making 1.8 this season. Their penchant for players who aren’t afraid to let it fly and get some 3s up has become a trademark for the Rockets. Just as importantly, a power forward who can score and grab boards is probably their most severe need, with little help behind Tucker on the roster to help fill in those minutes.

The great match and strong desire for a player like Mirotic place Houston in position to compensate New Orleans plentifully in a trade. They could offer Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss, along with two first round picks in order to get a deal done.

For the Pelicans, this could be their only shot at bringing in multiple first round picks, even if they are very likely to fall outside of the lottery. Knight still has a year remaining on his deal, making him the potential asset of an expiring deal next season.

Dell Demps may have to be ready to give up Elfrid Payton to Houston as well, but this could be a perfect way to flip two upcoming free agents for value before the clock strikes midnight (or 3 p.m.) on the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline.