The New Orleans Pelicans sideline Jordan Poole, reportedly seeking a trade. The team prioritizes a new direction after a disappointing acquisition.
There is now a week until the trade deadline, and the New Orleans Pelicans seem set to disappoint teams hoping to add Zion Williamson, Herb Jones or Trey Murphy. That doesn't mean they won't be making any deals at all, though.
It had become noticeable, given how the last couple of games have gone, but The Athletic's William Guillory has now reported that the Pelicans would "prefer" to move on from veteran Guard Jordan Poole.
Poole is healthy, but has been a "DNP - Coach's Decision" over the last two games. He is going to continue to log DNP's at least through the February 5 trade deadline, to avoid any issues.
There was some excitement around Poole in New Orleans this offseason, but he's arguably been the weakest addition in the trade.
Back in July 2025, the Pelicans traded away CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to acquire Poole, Saddiq Bey and the draft rights to Micah Peavy. It was one of the first major moves made by the new regime.
Bey has been an invaluable addition. After being a bit of an afterthought in the deal, he's become a regular part of the starting rotation. Since becoming a full-time starter, he has averaged 18.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 45.9/33.1/86.6 shooting splits.
He steps up when the moment calls for him. There's an argument to be made that he's been the team's third-best player this year.
Peavy's production has been inconsistent, but he brings a ton of defensive effort and has become an exciting bench piece.
Poole, on the other hand, has barely been playable. He's averaging 14.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists 37.0/33.6/87.6 shooting splits. Both the offense and the defense get worse when he is on the court.
The 26-year-old is clearly a talented player, there is a reason that he is highly paid in the first place. It just doesn't seem to be a fit for what New Orleans wants to do on the court.
They've gone to a size-focused lineup with Herb Jones playing point guard to start games, and it's working. It makes sense for both sides to want to move on.
Poole is on the books for $31.8 million this season and $34 million next. That's a lot for the Pelicans to pay someone they don't want to see hit the court. It won't be easy to sell that contract to an opposing team, but that's the mission over the next week.