NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans Waiting for 2019 Deadline to 'Strike' on Wing Player
The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly waiting until the 2018-19 NBA trade deadline to add a wing player to the mix.
According to Scott Kushner of the Journal Times, sources have indicated that Pels general manager Dell Demps is content to "strike" on a wing player during the 2018-19 campaign rather than before it.
Kushner added that the Pelicans engaged in trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks for small forward Kent Bazemore, but the "cost was too steep."
The Pelicans' strengths undoubtedly lie in their frontcourt and backcourt, with the main weakness existing at small forward.
Up front, New Orleans boasts MVP candidate Anthony Davis along with free-agent signings Julius Randle and Jahlil Okafor, as well as holdover Nikola Mirotic.
In the backcourt, defensive stalwart Jrue Holiday leads the way, while free-agent acquisition Elfrid Payton will look to replace what veteran Rajon Rondo—now with the Los Angeles Lakers—brought to the table last season.
E'Twaun Moore, Darius Miller and Solomon Hill are currently the top options to fill the "three-and-D" role alongside the aforementioned players.
Last season, Moore started 80 games and averaged 12.5 points, while Miller averaged 7.8 points and Hill just 2.4.
Kushner also reported that Troy Williams, Kenrich Williams and Garlon Green are in a three-man competition to crack the rotation.
New Orleans' lack of quality options at small forward could cause it to go big on occasion, with Davis, Randle and Mirotic all on the floor at the same time.
That would hurt the Pelicans' long-range shooting, but few teams in the league have a strong enough frontcourt to contend with that trio.
Last season, the Pels ranked 18th in the NBA in three-pointers made and 13th in three-point shooting percentage.
They managed to reach the second round of the playoffs despite their deficiencies in that area, and it looks as though they will need to find other ways to win until the 2018-19 trade deadline approaches.
