Securing game-changing scorers like Moody, Kispert, or Porter Jr. could reshape the New Orleans Pelicans' future. Explore three potential trade targets for 2026.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in a weird spot as holding one of the worst records in the NBA, but still feeling like they can and should try to compete this season.
Part of it is the fact that they don't own the rights to their first round pick, so there is no real incentive to try and lose games. They are also still a much better team than their record suggests.
It would be a shocker to see them completely blow up their roster before the trade deadline over the next month, trading guys like Herb Jones or Zion Williamson for picks. What would be less surprising, is them shifting players to other teams and trying to find other ways to win.
If they do want to add new players to this group, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has some opinions on who they should go after. Favale recently gave three trade targets for each NBA team for 2026. Here is who he came up with for New Orleans:
Moses Moody
The Pelicans saw firsthand what Moody can do when he's at his best. He scored 32 points in the Smoothie King Center earlier this season, shooting 8-of-12 from three. He just doesn't get the opportunity to shoot the ball that much with the Golden State Warriors.
If New Orleans decides to move on from Herb Jones, this is the type of player they should go after. As good as their offense has been, they need far more shooting than they currently have. Moody is a young player that just signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension to keep him on a team-friendly deal through 2027/2028.
Cory Kispert
Kispert is in a similar camp to Moody. He's on a cheaper deal and can shoot the ball well. The Washington Wizards did just give him a deal, but might look to move on from him as he leaves their younger timeline and finds himself crowded in their wing rotation.
The 26-year-old would be a fun fit with Derik Queen, as he moves well off the ball. His defense leaves plenty to be desired, but he would make up for it with what he would bring to the offensive side of things.
The Pelicans would be foolish to pay a premium for a player like Kispert, but the vision is there for it to work out on the court.
Michael Porter Jr
Porter has been floated as a potential option to trade Williamson for. It does make at least some sense. He has a contract built for the Brooklyn Nets to ship off, making $38.3 million this year and $40.8 million next.
The Nets could be more interested in Williamson's non-guaranteed contract, making it a win-win move if New Orleans knows its going to move past building around their current star.
The fit with Williamson and Queen hasn't been what the Pelicans had really hoped. If they do want to build fully around Queen, they'll need someone who can shoot the ball better.
Porter has had a career-best year in Brooklyn. He's averaged 25.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 49.6/41.0/81.2 shooting splits.
There could be a new issue born, though, that he is a very similar player to Murphy. If it comes down to those two, New Orleans would be foolish to go after Porter. If they feel like they can play them together, though, then they could do worse.