The New Orleans Pelicans have already made a ton of changes this past offseason, and more are expected to be on the way. They should be open to moving starters to reconfigure the roster, but they still need to remain selective with their decision-making.
Ethen Hutton of Fantasy Sports On SI recently posted a trade proposal for the Pelicans and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which New Orleans should rebuke if it were ever to cross their table.
The deal would see the Pelicans send Dejounte Murray, Derik Queen and a 2029 first-round pick to the Cavaliers in exchange for point guard Darius Garland.
Needing to decline this offer isn’t really about wanting to avoid adding Garland, but he also doesn’t exactly seem like the guy who is going to turn this franchise around.
The 25-year-old guard just reached 70 games played in a season for the first time in 2025. He also just had toe surgery back in June and is going to miss four or five months to start this season.
He’s solid when he’s on the court, a two-time All-Star, but New Orleans already has a plan in place at guard with Murray and Jordan Poole starting. Jeremiah Fears was their most recent pick and the point guard of the future.
The biggest reason they need to avoid this trade is that it includes Queen. It would essentially be trading three first-round picks. This roster is not in a state to survive that kind of investment right now.
The big man was a No. 13 overall pick, but the Pelicans believe they got a future superstar and ideal modern center with that selection. The only reason that they would be moving him in any deal would be for a bona fide superstar. Garland isn’t that yet.
For what they need in 2025, Murray should more than suffice at guard. The last healthy season he had, he was more productive than Garland has been.
New Orleans must improve on the defensive side of the ball, one of the worst in the league last year, and a healthy Murray is crucial to that happening.
The Pelicans acquired the former Atlanta Hawks star last year and still need to give him time to prove himself before moving on. Calling it quits after just one injury-riddled campaign with just 31 games played could prove to be a huge mistake.
New Orleans could be involved in a major trade at some point this season, but this doesn’t look like the one they should go for.