New Orleans Pelicans: Should they be NBA trade deadline buyers or sellers?

Conclusion

The Pelicans need to be buyers. Smart buyers — but still buyers. They hired Van Gundy to teach a young team how to win games. He hasn’t done that. The defense has been terrible and the offense has been the definition of meh — unless Zion plays point guard. While I don’t think Van Gundy’s done a very good job maximizing this team’s potential, Griffin needs to make some moves to improve the roster as well.

Letting Williamson become accustomed to losing is not an option. This squad flirted with a playoff run last season before faltering in the bubble. Regressing in a year they were supposed to take a step forward would be a big blow.

I think getting Zion and Ingram some playoff experience together, no matter how brief it is, will be a good thing. There are question marks about their long-term fit. You can’t possibly answer them until you see the two of them on the court together in a playoff series. Adding someone — anyone! — who can stop the other team from putting the ball in the basket should be a top priority.