The New Orleans Pelicans should approach the Milwaukee Bucks about a Jordan Poole-Myles Turner swap.
The New Orleans Pelicans haven't pulled off a major move yet this offseason, but they have been working the phones and have some deals they would like to do.
One goal still left to accomplish this offseason is trading Jordan Poole. Acquiring him turned out to be a major flop, as he was out of the Pelicans' rotation before the season ended. Perhaps the coaching change could help him, but the identity that Jamahl Mosley is going for doesn't match what Poole is good at.
It was just back in 2025 that the guard was putting up 20.5 points a night, albeit on a team that had no intentions of playing winning basketball. Last year, he put up 13.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 37.2/33.3/86.0 shooting splits. New Orleans desperately needed his three-point input, but it was far too inconsistent to actually be valuable.
Poole is going to be making $34 million next season, which could make it tough for them to trade him as the only teams who will be interested in him are ones who need a salary dump.
In going over who makes the most sense as a trade partner, the Milwaukee Bucks stood out. This is a rebuilding team who just traded away Giannis Antetokounmpo. Every player on their team should be available for trade.
Myles Turner, a veteran center they brought in last offseason, makes perfect sense for the Pelicans to target if they want to add a somewhat reliable talent to their frontcourt before the year. His numbers dropped on the Bucks, but that was a bad environment.
Turner remains a big man who can shoot the three-ball and rim protect. The downside to him is that he has not historically been a great defensive rebounder, which is a weakness for New Orleans. Still, he was better last year than Missi.
Milwaukee could potentially be interested in a straight swap, would be a much better use of that money and roster spot than Poole. Turner is making less money next year, but has two extra seasons (one being a $29 million player option). The Bucks will want to be done with his money as soon as possible, to assist with their rebuild.
As a little bit of a bonus to this trade, it does right by Poole by sending him back home, at least. The guard was born in Milwaukee and attended high school there before finishing in Indiana. It's an area that is still close to his heart. If this season is going to be spent on a non-contender, it might as well be where he is from.
