NBA Free Agency 2017: One trade every team should make

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans didn’t have much success following their wave-making acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins. But integrating a huge piece like that and creating an unconventional lineup (for today’s game) takes time and practice. Most NBA fans saw the 11-14 results of the 25-game sample, coupled it where the league currently resides, and would say the Pelicans twin-tower model won’t work.

In most cases, I’d agree. However, not when you have the two most talented (and mobile) centers in the league combining forces. The plight of New Orleans is poor roster construction with their dearth of help on the wings and an overabundance of lumbering traditional centers down the bench.

This is basically a classic “your trash for my garbage” swap, but Portland gets to clear almost $6 million annually from their books and dump two contracts that already look bad one season removed. New Orleans brings in players more conducive to them winning. With Jrue Holliday questionable to return to the Big Easy, Evan Turner would provide the Pelicans with someone to run the offense and Allen Crabbe as the floor-spacer to bomb 3’s.

Turner needs the ball in his hands to be effective. The best trait he brings to a team — aside from a pristine social media presence — is facilitating. He’s wasted in Portland with two ball-dominant guards ahead of him, but would thrive with the Pelicans by feeding Anthony Davis and Cousins all game.