New Orleans Pelicans trying to trade into first-round

The NBA Draft is just around the corner and it seems that the New Orleans Pelicans are trying to get into the first round of the draft via trade in the 11th hour of being able to do so. The Pelicans can’t aim too high in the draft when it comes to snagging a pick.

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According to NOLA.com, the Pelicans are actively and aggressively trying to trade into the first round of this year’s draft as they currently don’t have a pick there and would like to recoup the one they lost in a trade during last year’s draft that netted them Jrue Holiday.

"According to Pelicans coach Monty Williams, they have actively pursued options to get back in the NBA draft after surrendering their first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers that was part of last year’s draft night trade.”If there’s an opportunity to get in the draft, we’re going to look at it,” Williams said. ”The one thing we don’t want to do is be aggressive and put ourselves in a position to where we’re hamstrung for awhile and can’t make moves for the future."

What he means by not making stupid moves that cause the team to be hamstrung is that the Pelicans are not going to be trading Jrue Holiday. They may have Eric Gordon under contract as well as another guard in Austin Rivers, but the Pelicans clearly believe that Holiday is their No. 1 option and he’s the reason they’re hunting for a first-rounder in the draft.

NBA Rumors: New Orleans Pelicans trying to trade into first-round

By Josh Hill | Jun 24, 2014