Newest Pelicans Trade Rumors Signal New APPROACH and Real Change for New Orleans
New Orleans Pelicans signal a shift in franchise philosophy as trade rumors swirl around Yves Missi, Jose Alvarado, and Saddiq Bey. Prioritizing first-round picks over quick fixes, the front office appears to be embracing patience and long-term growth instead of rushing a win-now timeline. Could this strategic pivot mark the beginning of a true rebuild around rookies like Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears while Zion Williamson’s future in New Orleans remains uncertain?
Jake Madison unpacks the hottest names on the NBA trade market, possible bidders like the Knicks, Pacers, Warriors, Lakers, and Raptors, and what holding out for maximum value could mean for the Pelicans’ trajectory. Key topics include Mevci’s trade value, locker room discontent, the pitfalls of losing core veterans, and the risks of player disenchantment with another losing season. Don’t miss this on-point breakdown of the Pelicans’ evolving strategy and what it means for fans hoping for sustainable success.
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23 Comments
Everydayer!! Hoping the Pels trade deadline is not anti-climactic
Queen has been sucking lately.
Missi should be starting
I'm getting damn tired of the suggestion of following other teams' models because it never works, and all you hear from this guy is pessimism, but it's typical in New Orleans sports. Give all the best players to big market teams, have a ton of picks, and draft one good player and a bunch of scrubs who'll be out of the NBA in a few years. Another year of mediocre play and poor attendance could lead to Gayle selling the team.
Patience? Then why did they trade their 2026 unprotected pick? Dumb trade.
Wow completely the opposite of what Will said today that the Pels see Missi and Queen being able to fit in the front court and if they trade Missi it has to be a first rd pick in 2026 that second picks are not enough
Myles Turner 25 mill for D Murray 30 mill J Hawkins best for both teams Turner and Queen fit excellent Bucks are in a rebuild have D Murray sit out the rest of the year. A promising young movement shooting
The fact that Hawkins wants to be traded to get more minutes is comical! How about you make some shots and you will get more minutes!
I’m Convinced Jake hates this team and wants 12 people to show up to games next year. We need another star asap !
Missi is what the Pelicans need. Rim running, shot protection. Derek Queen is just a 6'10 big guard. Not what the Pelicans needed and they gave up a first for him. Joe Dumars made a huge mistake drafting Queen.
You are wrong. I said this a few years back that the Pels should go after Jalen Duren with the Piston. At that time his upside was the same as Missi. Missi will be a solid star center in the future. There just not enough centers in the league to just throw him away or say his ceiling is a off the bench center.
alternatively, you could start missi and let fears and queen develop off the bench.
Ive been hearing rumors of Missi to the Pacers for Ben Mathurin, is that a legitimate option? How would Ben fit with the future plans? Is it a trade the Pelicans should make if that is true?
Keep Zion and trade queen
Seems like a reach. They never mentioned Trey or Herb either. Are you suggesting they’ll blow it up completely?
The best thing that is happening for the Pels, is Michael Jordan dropping Zion from his shoe deals. Since that has happened, Zion has been averaging a double, double, the last three games. And it seem like he is more focus. Zion is understanding it is a privledge to play in the NBA and he must be grateful!
Trade Zion or Murray or Poole for a first round pick in this draft if that's what they want. Murray we are hearing rumors wants out because he's not gonna get the minutes wants. Poole hasn't been good for us. And well do I need to say much about Zion at this point? Missi and queen need to play more together I think. Missi compliments Queens game as far as rim running. Why do they want a pick so bad is my question. We traded it for queen. If we wanted a pick so badly we should have put a protection on it. Seems like Dumars wants a pick to replace Missi which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Trey and Jones can play 2-4 so we can do a lot of different line ups. Which is a coaching issue. Not a personal issue. This team is young with 2 rookies getting a lot of playing time. They need to build chemistry it's not even the all star break yet.
So we trade Misi , a VERY much improved big that could improve even more, for a pick somewhere in the 20s . Does anyone think that we will get a player that is as good as Misi with a ceiling as high?
Appreciate you being more optimistic about Pels management. I'd like to think they have a plan to turn the team around.
You are, of course, already punching Fears' and Queen's ticket as cornerstones for the franchise going forward. I, respectfully, think you are way out over your skis.
We know what a future all league point guard looks like as a rookie (see CP3) and Jeremiah Fears does not come close to measuring up. The smaller, Chris Paul was never abused defensively the way Fears is…rookie or no rookie, and Paul could distribute the rock from day one, and finish at the rim.
Plus, any way you slice it, 12 other GM's (including New Orléans') passed on Queen this past draft. Are you telling me that Dumas and Weaver know something about Queen that the other professionals don't? By your own calculus, you said (just the other day) that low lottery picks are rarely more than rotation pieces. Remind me, what pick was Kira Lewis, Jr in his draft class…or JAX in his draft class…or, even DD in his draft class?
Yet, you've penciled in these two as franchise saviors? I'm hoping you are right, but I'm certainly not there.
Queen and Fears arent good. Queen cant shoot, finish, or play d. Fears can't shoot, cant finish, has no vision, and might be the worst defender in the league. Zion is an All NBA level talent
Hawk doesn’t deserve minutes. Minutes shouldn’t be given but earned and he hasn’t done anything to improve his game. Can’t even dribble the ball.
You are reaching bro. To say building slow and through the draft like OKC bring a small market team is a bad thing and to say Ja Morant won’t make the Pelicans better is wrong! Ja with all of his negatives off the court, he is an Impact Game changer on the court! Which the Pels do not have. Zion is never available and lacks the impact on the game to get the calls from refs to get to the line(plus he’s a poor rebounder), Trey is soft and he fade away into the backgrounds when he plays aggressive playoff teams and Herb is no more that a defensive specialist who will only be the 5th option on your team on offense . Your negative assessment on Missi will age well after he is traded and he shines as a starter like he has been doing when he gets minutes from The Pelicans! I’m not trading Missi unless it’s coming from the Pacers 2026 pick in this yrs draft!