Pelicans Trade Rumors: Josh Hart Available Ahead of Deadline; Huerter Linked to NOP

Timothy RappFeb 5, 2022

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly "pretty active looking to buy" on the trade market and have made veteran guard Josh Hart available in talks, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on his Hoop Collective podcast (h/t HoopsHype).

Windhorst added that the Pelicans have held trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks regarding Kevin Huerter, the Portland Trail Blazers about CJ McCollum, the Houston Rockets regarding Eric Gordon and the Sacramento Kings about De'Aaron Fox.

For most teams, a 20-32 record might be a good reason to be a seller before the trade deadline, not a buyer. But the Pelicans have two very good reasons to be buyers instead.

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Most prominently, surrounding Zion Williamson with as much talent as possible remains the organization's long-term goal. While the star forward has yet to play this season due to injury, he remains the face of the franchise, and keeping him happy and a competitive team around him is priority No. 1.

But the Pelicans are also just a half-game back of the No. 10 seed and a shot at the play-in tournament for the playoffs. And the team ahead of them, the Portland Trail Blazers, appear to be sellers ahead of the deadline after sending Norm Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-rounder.

So the Pelicans don't have much reason to throw in the proverbial towel.

As for Hart, the 26-year-old is having a solid season, averaging career highs in points (13.4 PPG), assists (4.1 APG) and field-goal percentage (50.5 percent) to go along with 7.8 rebounds per contest. His 32.3 percent shooting from three, however, is just slightly below his career average (34.5 percent).

Still, those are solid numbers for a player who has a non-guaranteed salary of $12.9 million next season and a player option for $12.9 million in the 2023-24 campaign. That makes Hart a logical piece for the Pelicans to dangle in trade talks as they look to upgrade their backcourt.