The New Orleans Pelicans have been among the most active teams of the offseason, and they have the Anthony Davis trade to thank for that. It gave them the assets to be aggressive on the trade market while also increasing their salary cap flexibility in free agency. The Pelicans made a number of moves in both arenas, but they drew a line in the sand when it came to the three principal assets acquired in the Davis deal: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart. David Griffin revealed in their introductory press conference that he received offers on all three, but thanks in part to Hart's adamance on playing for New Orleans, he decided not to deal any of them.
“Josh called me before the draft, after we made the trade to acquire these gentlemen, and said ‘I know you can get a lot for me,’ and we literally had received offers from everyone here from the Lakers at that time,’ and he said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t trade me. I really want to be in New Orleans.'”
In truth, the Pelicans probably should have considered a trade if for no other reason than playing time concerns. They acquired three core players from the Lakers. They also added three first-round rookies in Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Walker-Alexander. When you factor in the veteran additions of J.J. Redick, Derrick Favors and Nicolo Melli, that adds up to nine very important new players joining the team.
Just look at the shooting guard position. Hart, Walker-Alexander, Redick, E'Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday would all be starters on certain teams. How does New Orleans plan to find minutes for all of them? They could slide some over to small forward, but Ingram and Kenrich Williams are in the picture there as well, while Ball and Frank Jackson should play the bulk of their point guard minutes. Hayes might not see the court at all as a rookie, as Favors and Jahlil Okafor will demand playing time, and Williamson will need to be exposed to some center minutes just to see how he fares.
The Pelicans have a very bright future, and having too much talent is the epitome of a first-world problem. But it is still a problem. Right now, there roster is unbalanced, and keeping all of those players happy both now and in the future is going to be their greatest task now that Davis is a Laker.
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