Two trade candidates from other teams were named as fits for the New Orleans Pelicans as the deadline nears.
The New Orleans Pelicans sit with an 11-36 record, which would usually be a sign that a team starts tanking. Without their first-round pick, though, nothing is keeping the Pelicans from trying to win as many games as possible.
Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver have not given off the vibes that they should be expected to just sit back and watch this season go along.
There have been a number of reports that New Orleans is not going to be trading away core pieces like Trey Murphy, Herb Jones or Zion Williamson, but that doesn't mean that they aren't going to do anything.
Players like Jose Alvarado, Yves Missi and Jordan Poole have popped up in trade rumors in recent weeks.
The Pelicans could be making a move. If they do, though, who would they be looking to add?
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has released an "NBA Trade Board 2.0" (subscription required) to adjust to recent rumors and expectations for the deadline on February 5. On this board, he listed two players as fits for New Orleans. Here is who he landed on:
F Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga is someone that many Pelicans fans have been accustomed to hearing about over the last few months, as people continue to mention him as a piece in a potential Murphy to the Golden State Warriors.
Relax, New Orleans fans, that won't be happening. The Warriors do still seem set on moving Kuminga, though, but they aren't going to get nearly as much back for him as they once would have hoped.
The 23-year-old wing has played in just 20 games this season due to a mix of injuries and coach's decisions. When he has played, he hasn't been great. He's averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 45.4/32.1/74.2 shooting splits.
The hope in trading for him is that he just needs a change of scenery. He has been frustrated and doesn't seem to fit what Golden State has wanted him to do.
It wouldn't be awful to see the Pelicans take a chance on him, but it would have to be in a three-team deal where they don't give up very much. New Orleans doesn't have much else to offer the Warriors that they would want outside of first-round picks, and that should be off the table.
C/F Robert Williams
Williams is a much easier conversation. This is a move that wouldn't make that much sense right now for the Pelicans. New Orleans already has an undersized center that can play spot minutes in Kevon Looney.
Granted, Williams is better than Looney at this point of their career, but not enough to where it would make any real difference for the Pelicans. His value is listed at second-round picks, which New Orleans would be better off keeping right now.