A massive trade proposal has the New Orleans Pelicans landing another superstar and former first overall pick to complement Zion Williamson.
New Orleans made progress last season by finishing 42-40, even though Williamson only played 29 games. They lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in game, but it was nonetheless an encouraging step forward for the Pelicans.
What if the Pelicans’ front office could add just one more star to help out Williamson?
At NBA Analysis Network, James Piercey proposed a trade in which the Pelicans land Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for star guard C.J. McCollum plus 2024 and 2025 first-round picks:
“When he’s healthy, no player generates rim pressure like Williamson. How do you contain him with Towns on the perimeter? Meanwhile, (Brandon) Ingram should thrive as a safety valve who can create his own shot. The Pelicans could be unguardable after making this move.
Besides, they’ve got some great defensive players who can offset Towns’ limitations. Larry Nance Jr. is a combo big who can support either Towns or Williamson. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones are both outstanding on that end. The Pelicans would have some defensive ability on their roster – even if they’re leaning into offense.”
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There’s no indicator that Minnesota is keen on trading the No. 1 pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, but they could be open to a move if New Orleans proposed a trade like this. Towns and fellow All-Star Rudy Gobert, acquired in a trade with the Utah Jazz last year, did not work so well as a tandem.
One could argue that Gobert would flourish more with a playmaking guard like McCollum running the offense. And for the Pelicans, there’d be no easy way of stopping an offense led by Williamson, Ingram and Towns.
