The NBA Trade Deadline is that last best chance to address a need for a deep playoff run. Here are five teams that should be looking for that missing piece.
Wanting to beef up their roster in an effort to repeat as champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers essentially kicked off trade season by acquiring three-point marksman Kyle Korver in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks in early January. This one deal, really got the rumor mill going and fueled speculation that this could be a possibly busy Feb. 23 trade deadline.
With that in mind, here are five teams that should definitely make a deal to improve their roster at the trade deadline.
5. New Orleans Pelicans
Like many teams fighting for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans have a legitimate shot at moving up in the standings and securing a trip to the postseason. Having Anthony Davis obviously helps the Pelicans achieve this task but he can’t do it all by himself.
That’s why the Pelicans should make a deal. They have some fine players with Jrue Holiday and Buddy Hield but the Pelicans did need to add some talent to really build around Davis. And while New Orleans could upgrade their roster in the offseason, why not just do it now, especially since they could potentially make the playoffs.
The Pelicans have been linked to Sixers big man Jahlil Okafor, who may have more cons than pros. Okafor’s is a poor rebounder and defender for his size but he is a can score in the low post and is just 22 years old. And with the Pelicans being near the bottom of the league in offensive ranking (27th), adding a talented offensive player like Okafor should only help. Okafor also can play center, which allows Davis to play at the four, his preferred position.
This all depends on how much the Pelicans have to give up to acquire Okafor but if he is available for the right price, New Orleans should make a deal with the Sixers.