Miami Heat draft night trade #2: New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans need to shake things up this offseason. A trade like this would help them both right now and for the future.
Goran Dragic may be old, but he still has a few quality NBA years left. His veteran leadership and scoring ability would help elevate New Orleans on offense.
Kendrick Nunn is about to be 26 years old and entering his prime. He would be a great replacement for Lonzo Ball if the Pelicans lose him in free agency.
Nunn’s shot-making abilities would be able to help elevate the Pelicans on the offensive side of the floor. It would also prevent them from having a hole at point guard.
Precious Achiuwa isn’t much of an NBA talent at the moment. He would be more of a pot-sweetener in this deal.
New Orleans is reportedly open to trading the tenth overall pick. They want to put as much talent around Zion Williamson as possible in order to compete right away.
In addition, the Pelicans are supposedly looking to move off of Eric Bledsoe’s contract this summer. This deal would allow them to do so while also adding some talent in return.
Bledsoe would step in as the starting point guard in Miami or could come off the bench if they land a big fish in free agency. If he doesn’t perform well, the Heat can release him by June 29, 2022, since the second year of his contract is not fully guaranteed.
This deal is really all about the tenth pick in the draft. Miami would be adding lottery-level talent to their roster.
There should be a ton of great players for the Heat to snag at pick ten. Players such as Davion Mitchell, James Bouknight, and Corey Kispert could all be there.
Any one of those players would immediately help out Miami on the offensive end of the floor. This would be a great trade to help ensure the Heat can compete for years to come.