Many were high on the New Orleans Pelicans coming into this season after they made the playoffs last Spring and gave the top-seeded Phoenix Suns a bit of a scare in the first round.
With an 11-8 record, the Pelicans currently have the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, but by no means should they feel satisfied or complacent.
Although they have a nice roster, it’s an incomplete roster, and these two trades could help them make the jump from a playoff team to a contending team.
1. Terry Rozier For Devonte’ Graham, Willy Hernangomez, and Trey Murphy III
The one big hole in New Orleans’ roster is a true, high-level point guard who can run its offense while also scoring, and Rozier would fit the bill.
#terryrozier sends it to OT! pic.twitter.com/xoSXCjodHP
— Top Bunk Sports (@Topbunksports) November 19, 2022
Rozier has been rumored to be on the trade market, and while this trade would address the Pelicans’ lack of a true point guard, it could also provide Charlotte with some help for a couple of its weaknesses.
Graham would give it a point guard who can play off of LaMelo Ball and hit from the outside, while Murphy would provide a 6-foot-9 man who can play both forward spots, and Hernangomez would add some much-needed depth at center.
2. Mike Conley For Devonte’ Graham And Jaxson Hayes
The Utah Jazz got off to a hot start, but they have cooled off considerably.
With a 12-10 record, which puts them in eighth place in the Western Conference, would they consider trading Conley, who has been involved in multiple trade rumors?
Conley would give the Pelicans a veteran point guard who has been there and done that, and although he’s on the downside of his career, at worst he could be a placeholder for the next two years while teaching his young teammates how to win.
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