The New Orleans Pelicans are not rushing into a panic move this offseason. According to a league source intimately familiar with the organization’s thinking, the Pelicans’ front office is actively taking its time to thoroughly evaluate all available options to fix their glaring hole at the center position.
While the general NBA landscape expects a major shakeup in New Orleans, the team is deliberately surveying both the trade market and the remaining free-agent pool rather than jumping at the first deal on the table.
The Trey Murphy III Leverage Play
Much of the league’s focus has centered on rising star wing Trey Murphy III, who has drawn intense interest from upwards of a dozen teams following a massive breakout season. However, anyone expecting a discount on the 25-year-old dynamic forward will be severely disappointed.
Per the source, the Pelicans’ asking price for Murphy remains incredibly steep, holding firm at a threshold of at least three first-round draft picks.
New Orleans views Murphy as a premier long-term pillar or a blue-chip asset. Unless a desperate suitor steps up to meet that massive draft-capital evaluation, the Pelicans are perfectly comfortable keeping him in the fold.
Guard Depth as Trade Bait
Instead of moving a core piece like Murphy to address their frontcourt needs, the source indicates that the Pelicans have a clear preferred path to landing their next starting big man. New Orleans would heavily prefer to construct a trade package centered around guards Jordan Poole and/or Jordan Hawkins to acquire their target center.
Moving off their depth in the backcourt allows the front office to balance the roster layout without sacrificing the elite wing depth that defines their system.
The Bottom Line
Pelicans fans hoping for a quick fix might need to practice patience. Executive leadership is treating this offseason like a game of chess. They know they have the luxury of time and heavy leverage with Murphy, and they are intent on waiting out the market until they can flip their guard depth for the exact interior presence they need.
