Getty
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 21: Jarace Walker #5 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on January 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by China Wong/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans have several players that other teams would like to trade for at the deadline. New Orleans is one of the worst teams in the NBA, so it is looked at as a potential seller. Right now, they sit dead last in the Western Conference standings.
Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson are two players that other teams have expressed interest in, but New Orleans has said it will hold on to them. Instead of that, they are willing to give up other players that they don’t view as part of their core moving forward.
A wild trade idea from Bleacher Report has the Pelicans add a young forward and some draft capital, both of which they need.
GettyIndiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker dribbles the ball. (Photo by China Wong/Getty Images)
The Pelicans Add Draft Capital and Young Forward in Four-Team Trade Idea
Here is the full trade proposal:
Bulls get:
Pacers get:
Pelicans get:
Jarace Walker (from Pacers)
Dante Exum (from Mavericks)
$8 million trade exception (Kevon Looney)
$3.4 million trade exception (Yves Missi)
2026 protected first-rounder (from Bulls)
Mavericks get:
Dalen Terry (from Chicago)
$9 million trade exception (Daniel Gafford)
$2.3 million trade exception (Dante Exum)
2026 protected first-rounder (from Portland Trail Blazers, via Bulls)
Adding Walker, who has shown some promise, would be a good addition for New Orleans. He can be a backup small forward or power forward. His passing skills, defense, and 3-point shooting have proven to make him a young player with a lot of potential.
Getting a 2026 first-round pick is the real prize in this trade idea, though. They currently owe their pick to the Hawks, which is a disaster for them. Getting a draft pick in what is supposedly a loaded draft would be a great idea for New Orleans at this point in the season.
GettyNew Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III celebrates. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Pelicans Could Swing the NBA Season
While the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the league, they still have an opportunity to swing the NBA season by trading one of their valuable players. If they do decide to part ways with Murphy III or Williamson, that could make whatever team lands one of those guys the favorites to win it all.
Murphy III is one of the most sought-after players heading into the trade deadline. His ability to score the ball and play perimeter defense is what makes him so attractive to contending teams. That’s also one of the big reasons why the Pelicans want to keep him.
If New Orleans ends up making a move at the deadline, they will do so in order to get some draft capital. They will be sellers, not buyers. There is also a chance that they don’t make any moves at the trade deadline and try to re-tool the roster in the offseason.