The NBA calendar has hit that familiar, feverish stretch where cell phone chargers are the most valuable assets in every front office. But in New Orleans, the vibrations from Executive Vice President Joe Dumars’ phone might be enough to cause a localized tremor.
As we approach the February 5, 2026 trade deadline, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves at a definitive crossroads. With a record that has them scraping the bottom of the Western Conference and sitting at a dismal 11-36, the “stay the course” mantra has officially been retired. The Pelicans aren’t just looking to “tweak” the margins; they are looking to be ultra-aggressive.
The mission is clear: shed the dead weight of underperforming veteran contracts, reclaim lost draft capital, and find the size needed to survive in a league that has once again embraced the “Big Ball” era.
The Untouchables: Why Zion, Herb and Trey Aren’t Going Anywhere
In a season this disappointing, fans often scream for a “blow it up” fire sale. However, the Pelicans’ front office appears to have a more surgical approach. Despite the outside noise and the reported interest from teams like the Chicago Bulls, Zion Williamson is unlikely to be moved, I’m told.
While Zion’s tenure in New Orleans has been a rollercoaster of All-NBA dominance and frustrating injury spells, the franchise still views him as the sun in their solar system. At 25 years old, a healthy Zion remains one of the most unguardable forces in basketball. Trading him now would be the ultimate “sell low” move; a cardinal sin in NBA management.
Joining him in the “unlikely to move” category are the two pillars of New Orleans’ identity: Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.
- Trey Murphy III has blossomed into a borderline All-Star, averaging over 21 points per game this season and serving as the team’s primary floor spacer.
- Herb Jones remains the heartbeat of the defense, a First-Team All-Defensive talent who provides the cultural “grit” the team desperately needs.
The word around the league is that it would take a “Godfather offer”—think multiple unprotected first-round picks and a blue-chip prospect—to even get the Pelicans to pick up the phone for these two. For now, they are the foundation.
The Financial Pivot: Moving Off Murray and Poole
If the Pelicans want to change their trajectory, they have to address the elephant in the room: the backcourt payroll. The experimental pairing of Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole has, quite frankly, been a disaster for the win-loss column.
The trade for Jordan Poole, which saw CJ McCollum head to Washington, has aged like milk in the Louisiana sun. Poole’s contract—roughly $34 million for next season—is increasingly viewed as an albatross. While Poole has shown flashes of his Golden State scoring prowess, his defensive lapses and inconsistent efficiency haven’t justified the price tag.
Similarly, the Pelicans are looking to move off Dejounte Murray. While Murray is a talented two-way player, his fit next to Zion has been clunky at best. The Pelicans’ front office is determined to move these salaries to pivot toward size. New Orleans has been consistently bullied in the paint this year and they realize that a roster led by scoring guards who can’t defend the rim is a recipe for a high lottery pick—one they don’t even fully own.
The Search for the “Missing” 2026 First
One of the primary drivers of this deadline’s aggression is a massive clerical error in the franchise’s long-term planning. Last summer, the Pelicans traded away their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks to move up and select center Derik Queen.
At the time, the front office expected to be a playoff lock. Now, they are staring at the possibility of handing the Hawks a top-three pick in a loaded 2026 draft (featuring the likes of AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer).
Getting a 2026 first-round pick back is a primary goal. Whether it’s their own pick or a high-value one from another team, the Pelicans need to find a way back into the first round of what is being called a “franchise-altering” draft class.
The Trade Chips: Missi, Hawkins and Alvarado
To get value, you have to give it. While the Pelicans want to keep their stars, they are engaging in “deep conversations” regarding their younger, more tradable assets.
1. Yves Missi
The sophomore center has become a polarizing figure in trade talks. On one hand, he’s the team’s only legitimate rim protector and an All-Rookie talent. On the other, his value is at an all-time high. Teams like the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are enamored with Missi’s physical tools. If moving Missi is the key to shedding Jordan Poole’s contract or landing a 2026 first-rounder, the Pelicans may have to bite the bullet.
2. Jordan Hawkins
The UConn product remains one of the purest shooters in the league, but his minutes have been inconsistent under the current coaching regime. With Trey Murphy locked into the starting role, Hawkins is viewed as a luxury. A team like the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors, both desperate for knockdown shooting, could be ideal landing spots.
3. Jose Alvarado
“Grand Theft Alvarado” is the heart of the Pelicans’ bench, but he is also their most “actionable” asset. He is on a team-friendly contract ($4.5 million) with a player option for next year. For a contender like the New York Knicks, Alvarado is the perfect high-intensity spark plug. The Pelicans have received significant interest in Jose and while it would hurt the locker room, his departure seems more like a “when” than an “if.”
The Potential Partners: Who Is Calling?
New Orleans has spoken with nearly every team in the league, but five teams have emerged as the most frequent callers:
| Team | Why They Fit | Potential Target |
| Indiana Pacers | Need a defensive anchor to pair with Haliburton. | Yves Missi |
| Chicago Bulls | Looking for a “reboot” and have expiring contracts. | Jordan Poole |
| New York Knicks | Seeking bench energy and defensive depth. | Jose Alvarado |
| Golden State Warriors | Looking to maximize Steph’s window with more scoring. | Jordan Hawkins |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Need wing depth and floor spacing. | Jordan Hawkins |
The Verdict: Multiple Moves on the Horizon
Don’t be shocked if the Pelicans make multiple moves before the clock strikes 3:00 PM ET on February 5. This isn’t a team looking for a “win-now” Band-Aid; it’s a franchise trying to fix a broken foundation.
The goal is a total retool: move the expensive guards, recoup a 2026 first-round pick, and find the length and size required to compete in the West. If Joe Dumars can pull off this balancing act, the Pelicans might just salvage their future from the wreckage of this season.
One thing is certain: by February 6, this New Orleans roster will look fundamentally different.
