Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
In: Kyle Anderson, Tobias Harris, Jonathan Kuminga, Dennis Schröder, Golden State’s 2025 first-round pick, Toronto’s 2025 second-round pick, Golden State’s 2027 first-round pick (top-seven protection), 20228 second-round pick (less favorable of Charlotte and Los Angeles Clippers, via Detroit)
Out: CJ McCollum, Javonte Green, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Zion Williamson
Starting completely over has never looked more palatable for the Pelicans. Injuries long ago torpedoed their season, and Dejounte Murray’s ruptured right Achilles tendon threatens to submarine next year, too.
Two first-round picks and Kuminga seem like a pittance for Zion. But his value is indiscernible when considering his forever-in-question health. This return beefs up New Orleans’ draft cupboard while shaving $19.5 million in immediate payroll. Plus, Golden State’s 2025 first may end up in the lottery, and a 2027 pick from any team tightly tethered to Zion’s availability carries real mystique, as New Orleans knows all too well.
Taking on Harris (one year, $26.6 million remaining after 2024-25) and Anderson (two years, $18.9 million) is not ideal. But they combine to earn $34.4 million less than McCollum and Zion in 2025-26. That should give the Pelicans flexibility to hash out new contracts for Kuminga (restricted) and, if they so choose, Brandon Ingram while remaining under luxury tax.
Finer points of this framework can be recalibrated. The Pelicans can hang onto Green (playing well for them). They can try expanding the terms to get expiring money instead of Anderson. They can ask the Warriors to loosen 2027 protections and/or include a 2026 swap. As currently constructed, though, it should not be considered laughable. It is, at the very least, a viable starting point.
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