Pelicans could be active on draft night despite no first-round picks

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans Pelicans currently do not have a first-round pick for Tuesday night’s draft, but that could change as teams head to their war rooms.

Last year’s deal to give up this year’s first-round pick to move up ten places to take Derik Queen at No. 13 was controversial. This year’s draft is projected to be a deep class.

The Pelicans finished the regular season with a 26-56 record with limited room for growth as the roster stands.

The Pelicans’ only path to major changes is the trade market, and they have two paths to go down: either trade for a star or for picks.

This offseason, the Pelicans have been linked to two names: Memphis’ Ja Morant and Jaylen Brown in Boston. However, NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday morning that the Pelicans have “no plans” to pursue Morant due to their commitment to last year’s No. 7 pick, Jeremiah Fears, whom the franchise plans to be their long-term starting point guard.

Now that Giannis Antetokounmpo has been traded to Miami, it remains to be seen how serious Boston truly is about shopping star forward Jaylen Brown on the trade market, and how much their interest in Trey Murphy is real.

ESPN’s Shams Charania appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday and said that the Pelicans are receiving “aggressive” offers for Murphy and small forward Herb Jones from multiple teams around the NBA. He also said that a package deal could result in a significant return in picks and prospects for New Orleans.

A sudden turn from core players could indicate that the Pelicans are looking to enter a rebuilding era led by Fears and Queen.

While anything could happen ahead of Tuesday’s draft, there are a few scenarios that could play out with teams known to register interest in acquiring Murphy.

Boston Celtics

If Boston decides to move on from Brown after losing out on Giannis, they could target Murphy, as reported previously by Bill Simmons and Sam Amick. The Celtics could offer Brown and this year’s No. 27 overall pick.

The Celtics could also make a play for Murphy without offering Brown. That deal would look like the 27th pcik and first-round picks for 2031 and 2033, plus a player or two. To match salaries, those players would likely be a combo of Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzalez, or Baylor Schierman.

At No. 27, Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance could be available, as well as Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson, or Arizona forward Koa Peat.

Atlanta Hawks

Coming to the Hawks to ask for their own pick back at No. 8 might be a tough pill to swallow, but it would be a move that gets the Pelicans back in the Lottery range. If they were to make a deal to swap Murphy for the 8th pick plus moving parts, it would likely mean that they are targeting a specific player.

At No. 8, Tennessee forward Nate Ament could be available. Ament is 6′9 and both skilled and athletic with a high offensive ceiling. He would fill a need with the departure of Murphy and/or Jones and be on a similar timeline with Fears and Queen.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have long pursued Murphy with the Pelicans rejecting previous offers. However, now may be the time for Murphy in Bay Town.

Hoops Hype’s Mike Scotto reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Warriors have discussed trading the No. 11 pick for Murphy.

“Golden State has also been one of many interested suitors in New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, and the two teams have discussed concepts involving the No. 11 pick, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto said. “As previously reported by HoopsHype, the Pelicans have searched for a trade into the lottery and are targeting a player. Nate Ament has been mentioned as one potential candidate for the Pelicans.”

The Pelicans could also target Ament here if he’s still on the board.

They also need to bolster the center rotation, whether that be starting alongside Queen or coming off the bench. If they are targeting a center in this position, that player could likely be Michigan center Aday Mara.

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