An under-the-radar Pelicans trade candidate to watch

The The New Orleans Pelicans were unlucky so far in the 2024-25 NBA season, it currently has one of the worst records in the league as the season passes its midway point. The Pelicans have dealt with a host of injuries so far this year, including to franchise cornerstone Zion Williamsonwho recently returned from a hamstring injury.

With all of their struggles and the fact that there are several seasoned veterans on the Pelicans’ roster, it should come as no surprise that New Orleans has seen his name relentlessly tossed around the trade rumor mill as the deadline approaches next month.

Recently, NBA insider Jake Fisher came to Marc Stein’s account on Substack break down who the Pelicans will be interested in entertaining offers for.

“The Pelicans continue to quell ongoing interest in defensive tight end Herb Jones, who is out indefinitely with a torn labrum in his right shoulder,” Fisher reported. “If there’s one trade candidate to watch in New Orleans, it might be Javonte Green.” The Pelicans are getting healthy interest in the athletic power forward, who is making just $2 million this season and is another player whose current salary is below the league’s current veteran minimum.

Green is truly one of the most featured players on the Pelicans’ roster amid some of the more established names like CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram.

What should the Pelicans do?

Despite the fact that there is still half a season left to play, the Pelicans are practically eliminated from the playoffs for all intents and purposes, especially considering how deep the field of contending teams is in the Western Conference.

To make matters worse, the Pelicans made all the moves last summer, most notably acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Dyson Daniels and a package of picks, a trade that looks disastrous in retrospect.

Still, if there’s one way the Pelicans can take something positive out of this season, it would be to find a way to acquire as much assets as possible for some of their veteran pieces at this year’s trade deadline, which is set for mid-February.