4 bold predictions for the New Orleans Pelicans next season

Prediction #4: The New Orleans Pelicans will make another key mid-season trade

The Pelicans made a big deal to acquire McCollum at the trade deadline last season, and they could make another one next season. While they might be hard-pressed to find someone as good as McCollum, they could still add a key piece during the season.

This could be especially true if they’re better than expected (i.e., any combination of predictions one, two, and three are correct) and they believe that they could go far in the playoffs. The Pelicans still have several assets from the Davis trade to include in a deal and could also attach a former lottery pick, Jaxson Hayes, to help match salary.

Hayes will likely play a reduced role with Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas starting at power forward and center, and his role with the team is unclear going forward. There could be a few sellers too, particularly San Antonio, Utah, and Indiana, all of whom have several veterans that are likely available for the cost of a first-round pick and/or a young prospect.

New Orleans could meet that asking price and could scour those rosters for players that could help them win in the playoffs, assuming they’re in a position to do so next season.

All in all, the Pelicans expect to do very well next season. How good they are will depend on Daniels, Williamson’s health, Ingram becoming a superstar, and whether they can add another piece via trade.