NBA Trades: Pelicans land perfect Zion and Murray co-star in potential Wolves swap

NBA Trades: Would the Pelicans accept this deal?

Both Ingram and KAT definitely have their shortcomings, but both players would benefit from a fresh start on teams that fit them better and would allow for them to maximize their unique skill sets.

New Orleans fixed one hole in the back court by trading for Murray. Now their attention shifts to the front court. With Valanciunas entering free agency this off season, the Pelicans are going to need a big man on their roster. Yes, they drafted Yves Missi, but adding a floor spacer like Towns next to Williamson is too good to pass up. 

Towns is one of the best shooting big men in the NBA today, as he has shot above 36 percent from three eight years in a row and above 40 percent five times, including this past season. Towns is also reliable from a statistical standpoint, as he has hovered around 20 points and ten rebounds a game for the majority of his career. Where the problem arises, though, is the defensive end of the floor and his contract.

For a 10-year veteran, KAT makes some mind-boggling and low-IQ mistakes at times and that was seen in this year’s playoffs. Towns got into foul trouble often during the Wolves’ postseason run, averaging three fouls per game, having nine games of four or more fouls, and four games of five or more fouls. This has also been a trend in his postseason career, where he averages four fouls per game.

The other issue with Towns is his contract. In a 224 million dollar extension that is set to begin this coming season, Towns will be making $49 million, $53 million, and $57 million, and then he will have a player option of $62 million in 2027-28. He is not cheap by any means. 

However, there is no denying the basketball fit next to Williamson. Having a big floor spacer next to him in the frontcourt will open up the floor more for him to do what he does best. This move also allows for new draft pick Yves Missi to be brought along slowly and learn from a veteran guy like Towns. New Orleans would likely accept the deal, but it would not be surprising to see them try to get another player from Minnesota to make up for them taking on the rest of KAT’s deal.

Both Ingram and KAT definitely have their shortcomings, but both players would benefit from a fresh start on teams that fit them better and would allow for them to maximize their unique skill sets.