Are The Pelicans Making Another Trade?

Pels Press • January 23, 2024

Who's In & Who's Out?: New Orleans Pelicans Trade Deadline

 

Just a few weeks before the NBA trade deadline, it was reported that the New Orleans Pelicans were listening to offers for starting small forward Herb Jones. In addition to this, it was reported that the Pelicans had interest in acquiring a defensive minded big man in the market to get their team over the top. From sellers to buyers, here’s everything you need to know about the Pelicans leading up to the February 8th deadline.


  The Pelicans Aren’t Trading Herb Jones.

        This comes as no surprise. I would guess that New Orleans would be open to trading Jones in an insanely big blockbuster deal, but it would be absolutely redundant to trade Herb considering his team friendly contract, and although he has trade value, he is a core piece of the Pelicans’ future and has a big fan in front office member David Griffin. The only reasonable explanation as to why a report like this would even come out is because of Pelicans reserve Dyson Daniels, who has taken an unbelievable defensive leap in year two.



 Still, it would make no sense to keep Daniels over Jones, as Herb is better offensively and is a member of the starting five every game he’s available. He’s taken a big jump with his three point shooting this year, and is becoming capable of being a reliable scoring option for New Orleans, which only makes them better offensively. He’s also a fan favorite and has never expressed interest in playing anywhere but New Orleans, proving these reports incorrect. It would come as a complete surprise to me, as well as many others, if the Pelicans choose to sell at the trade deadline, and Herb Jones is one of the last people I would want/expect to see shipped out of New Orleans.


Who Might the Pelicans Trade?



        The Pelicans view their “core” as Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy. These players are almost certainly not going anywhere. While I do think the Pelicans would ship off any other player in the right deal, it’s hard for me to believe they’d just be willing to trade a guy like rookie Jordan Hawkins. So who would they be open or willing to move on from?

Jonas Valančiūnas

As reliable as the big fella has been this season, I don’t think the Pelicans front office values him defensively and would rather someone else at the starting center spot. He would likely be included in a deal for that different center.

Dyson Daniels

I don’t think the Pelicans are looking to trade Daniels, but I do think they wouldn’t necessarily hesitate to throw him in a deal if it meant they could upgrade at another position.

Naji Marshall

Similar to Daniels, I don’t think the Pelicans are actively shopping him. However, I think they would throw him in if they could get a deal done for a better player.

Who Could the Pelicans Look to Add at the Deadline?



        Now that the easy part is out of the way, it’s time to look at some potential trade targets the Pelicans could be eyeing. It’s been no secret that the Pelicans have been looking to add some rim protection, either to their starting lineup or off the bench. While there’s been some talk about Clint Capela, Andre Drummond, and Daniel Gafford, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been the top name thrown around, but who else could New Orleans go for? And could they be in the market for a guard or forward as well? Let’s break down all the trade targets I think the Pelicans should keep an eye on.


Defensive Center- Jarrett Allen


Let’s start with the obvious. Allen’s name has been associated with the Pelicans since last summer, and he fits the mold of everything the Pelicans seem to be looking for. He is a defensive guy and good rebounder on a good team. Despite their success this season, the Cavs do seem open to trading Allen, and the Pelicans have seemed to be the number one team linked to him dating back to before the draft. Allen is currently averaging 14.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 1.1 BPG to go along with a steal per game. He is shooting 66.7% from the floor this season, and only tends to shoot when he needs to, as the offense is mainly run by stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, as well as Evan Mobley. He is also just 25 years old, which could be a big factor dragging the Pels in. In New Orleans, Allen would almost surely be told to just keep doing what he’s doing, as he wouldn’t have to play a vital role in the offense here either. Allen would most certainly start for New Orleans, so a deal with him would no doubt include C Jonas Valanciunas and possibly someone like Dyson Daniels, and maybe even a pick as well. Although Allen isn’t as good as Valanciunas offensively and can’t space the floor, it is understandable to see why the Pelicans would have interest in a player like Allen, especially given his youth. I would probably argue that this is the number one trade target for New Orleans, so definitely something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.


Veteran Point Guard- Tyus Jones


CJ McCollum has been very good for the Pelicans this season, even shooting a career high from deep. But he isn’t a true point guard. That’s where Tyus Jones comes in. Jones is quietly having a very nice season for a struggling Washington team, averaging over 12 PPG and 6 APG while shooting over 50% from the field and over 42% from 3. Like Allen, Jones does not play with a scorer’s mindset, and would truly be a nice piece for many contenders all over the league. Because the Wizards are so far below .500, it would make a lot of sense for them to trade the 27 year old, especially if they could get more picks and young players. Jones wouldn’t have to start for the Pelicans to be successful, but definitely could if need be. While I don’t expect the Pels to make a big push for a player like him, I would 100% be supportive of a trade for Jones if the Pelicans were able to get him at the right price.

The Big Star- Lauri Markkanen



Let’s close with the biggest long-shot. Lauri Markkanen has been incredible since being traded to the Utah Jazz a few years ago, as he’s currently averaging 24 PPG, 9 RPG, and 2 APG on nearly 50% shooting and 39% from beyond the arc. Markkanen is surely one of the most underrated players in the game today, and he would make an incredible impact to this New Orleans team. I don’t see Utah being completely unwilling to let go of Markkanen, but I don’t see the price being very low either. A deal like this would require multiple rotational players for the Pels, as well as multiple first round picks. The Pelicans trading for Markkanen would certainly surprise me, but it would also convince the fanbase that the front office is finally all in and ready to win a championship now. Adding Markkanen to this core of guys would create for one of the best lineups in the game of basketball, and it would immediately make the Pelicans a true Western Conference force.


Young with Upside: Nick Richards


Now this is a name I haven’t seen brought up in many mock trades. I think Richards would be the perfect backup 5 for this Pels team, and could even be a starter if the Pelicans front office and coaching staff trusted him enough. The 4th year Charlotte Hornet is averaging 8.7 PPG on nearly 70% from the floor, and is grabbing 7.6 boards along with 1.3 blocks in his time on the floor, which has mostly come in backup minutes. Since it was reported that Charlotte would be open to trading anyone other than Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Richards is definitely gettable and probably wouldn’t cost a huge amount for New Orleans either. While I don’t necessarily have him on my Pelicans radar, it’s entirely possible that the Pels would go after someone like him in Charlotte at the last minute, similarly to what they did with Josh Richardson last year, although that trade was mainly to get off of Devonte Graham’s contract.


A Big Rental- Nic Claxton


Imagine a slightly younger version of Jarrett Allen. Nets C Nic Claxton is having a nearly identical year to Allen in all but one category: blocks. While he isn’t as good offensively, averaging a few less points and shooting worse, especially from the FT line, Claxton is averaging an astonishing 2.3 BPG and would no doubt be a defensive anchor in New Orleans. While I have seen his name linked to a few New Orleans mock trades, I do not fully expect the Nets to be willing to sell Claxton, and I believe they would receive a big package for him if he is traded. I’m sure the Pelicans would be more willing to go after someone like Allen, as he’s only one year older and would probably be cheaper to obtain, but no one would be mad if the Pelicans tried Claxton instead. I could definitely see him being a key piece of the team if he ends up being traded here.


What Does It Mean?


        All of this being said, I fully expect the Pelicans, if they make any moves at the deadline (which they should), to be buyers. They should be on the phone with any and every GM around the league trying to make moves, hopefully for one or more of the guys I have listed above. Let’s see how different this Pelicans team looks come early February!

 -Drew Duvieilh  (@Drew_Duvieilh) on X

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Familiar Issues Plague Tigers in Loss to Aggies

By David Billiot Jr • April 18, 2026
Friday Night Recap It was groundhog’s day again at Alex Box on Friday night, as LSU lost their 4th straight SEC game in the series opener to Texas A&M. Their night consisted of a lot of the same issues that have plagued them throughout this dreadful season. Casan Evans was off to a fantastic start through 4 innings, but the wheels eventually fell off and the Tigers were doing what they’ve had to do for most of their 16 SEC games so far. Play from behind. They fell behind 1-0, but were able to answer and tie the game. Unfortunately, Evans left the game with the team down 6-2 and the game was essentially over at that point. One of the biggest talking points of this team’s pitching this year as been being one out away. Often, it’s just one pitch away from getting out of an inning without sustaining damage. Time and time again, they’ve been unable to get off of the field and it continued in game 1. Speaking of old issues continuing on Friday night, the inability to get a big 2-out hit that has plagued this lineup for most of the season, was again on full display. They’ve constantly let pitchers off of the hook and that’s what happened multiple times tonight. They left a runner on 3rd base in 3 of the first 5 innings, which simultaneously led to them falling behind as they often have. Going 1-8 with runners in scoring position is not going to win you many ball games, much less against an offensive team like Texas A&M. Despite two good performances in the middle of the lineup, it was the top of the order that let the Tigers down. Spots #1-#3 combined to go 3-15. Many of the at bats were uncompetitive, but that’s nothing new for this offense. Pitching Casan Evans showed up ready to roll on Friday evening. He struck out Gavin Grahovac on 3 pitches to start the game, on his way to striking out the side, despite a 2-out single up the middle. It was a quick 1-2-3 in the 2nd, including another strikeout and nice slow-roller play by John Pearson at 3rd base. Trouble began in the 3rd, as Evans walked 8-hole hitter Bear Harrison to lead off the inning, followed by a bloop single that put runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. He followed up his 3-pitch strikeout of Grahovac with another 3-pitch strikeout for a big first out of the inning. Caden Sorrell then chopped a ground ball to Mason Braun at 1st base, but it took too long to get to the freshman, allowing the runner at 3rd to score as Braun stepped on the base for the second out. Another ground out to Pearson ended the inning, but only allowing a run after the situation Evans found himself in was a slight win. He bounced back in the 4th, striking out another two to bring his total to 7, pitching around a 2-out walk. He issued another leadoff walk to Harrison in the 5th, who’s .265 batting average was the lowest in the Aggies starting lineup. A strikeout and a flyout put him in position to nullify it, but Texas A&M rattled off three straight singles and just like that, LSU was down 4-1. A groundout would finally end a 30-pitch inning for the Tiger ace. Despite the gruel of a 5th inning, Evans returned for the 6th. He gave up a leadoff single on his 101st pitch of the night, but Jay Johnson chose to stick with him and it ended up being for too long. Freshman Jorian Wilson blasted a 2-run homerun so far out of the stadium that Derek Curiel barely moved. Despite the good first 4 innings, the wheels fell off for Evans and that would be all for him. Final line: 5.0 IP / 7 hits / 6 runs / 8 Ks / 3 BBs / 103 pitches (68 strikes, 66%) After starting the past two Sundays, it was Grant Fontenot as first out of the bullpen for the Tigers. He got off to a fantastic start, striking out the first two hitters that he faced. Grahovac then stepped to the plate having a pretty rough night, but hit another Aggie bomb to right-center for make it 7-2. After a walk, Fontenot would record a flyout to end the second consecutive 3-run inning for Texas A&M. He would not return after that. Final line: 1.0 IP / 1 hits / 1 runs / 2 Ks / 1 BB / 13 pitches (8 strikes, 62%) Danny Lachenmayer took over for the 7th looking to bounce back from some recent struggles. He had hit his only batter-faced in his previous 3 outings going back to game 3 at Tennessee. Tonight, he was very good. Aside from a 1-out single, the lefty struck out the side in his only inning of work. Final line: 1.0 IP / 1 hit / 0 runs / 3 Ks / 0 BB / 18 pitches (13 strikes, 72%) Connor Benge took over for the 8th to start with a clean inning, something he typically doesn’t see. He’s normally put in to put out fires and he’s been pretty good the past few weeks. He was great tonight, striking out the first two batters faced and then getting Grahovac down to a 1-2 count. Benge threw a very good slider that had him fooled, but the Aggie 1st baseman was able to throw his barrel at the ball to make soft contact and find open grass. Jay pulled him with a lefty coming up to bat, but it was another good performance for the right-handed flamethrower. Final line: 0.2 IP / 1 hit / 1 run / 2 Ks / 0 BBs / 14 pitches (10 strikes, 71%) With the left-handed hitting Sorrell coming up, Jay went to Ethan Plog for the matchup. After starting him 1-2, Plog threw 3 straight balls to allow the walk and that was it for him. Final line: 0.0 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 0 Ks / 1 BB / 6 pitches (2 strikes, 33%) With runners on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs, Jay went to Mavrick Rizy. On the second pitch, A&M 2nd baseman Chris Hacopian took a fastball to his face in what was a very scary moment. He had to leave the game with trainers. That loaded the bases and the very next pitch went to the backstop, bringing home the 8th Aggie run of the night. Rizy would eventually walk that hitter, before finally recording the final out with a groundout to Steven Milam. Rizy would not return after that. Final line: 0.1 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 0 Ks / 1 BBs / 1 HBP / 14 pitches (6 strikes, 43%) It was Reagan Ricken on the mound for the 9th after LSU had scored 2 runs in the 8th to make it a 8-4 game. Just 4 pitches in to the inning, the Aggies were back up by 6 runs after a double and Wilson’s second homerun of the game. Ricken then walked the next hitter on 4 pitches and Jay was out of the dugout to pull him from the game before the batter even got to 1st base. Final line: 0.0 IP / 2 hits / 2 runs / 0 Ks / 1 BB / 9 pitches (4 strikes, 44%) Jaden Noot has been seldom used this year, but he was called upon in the 9th. He came in and did his job, recording back to back groundouts and a pop out with an intentional walk in-between. Final line: 1.0 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 0 Ks / 1 int walk / 10 pitches (8 strikes, 80%) Hitting Cade Arrambide has been on fire going back to that 4 homerun game at Tennessee and he turned in another great night tonight. At DH, he went 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored. The RBI was a 2-out hit, which many of you know that Jay refers to as a “golden”, because that’s how valuable they are. Two of his singles were to the opposite field, which is great to see. So much of this lineup is pull-heavy this year, which is something Jay talked about in his post game press conference. Steven Milam delivered the only other multi-hit game for the Tigers. Both of his hits were extra base hits, including a solo homerun that tied the game at 1-1 in the 4th inning. He finished 2-4 with a double, as well. Derek Curiel, Chris Stanfield, Jake Brown, Omar Serna, and John Pearson each recorded a single hit. Pearson drew the only walk of the night for the Tiger lineup, while also providing one of the other two RBIs, along with Serna. Up Next LSU and Texas A&M will return tomorrow for game 2 with an adjusted first pitch. Originally scheduled for 7 pm, it has been moved up to 4:30 pm central with the threat of rain looming tomorrow night. The loss now drops the Tigers to 6-10 in conference play, while the Aggies improved to 10-5. William Schmidt will take the mound with his 4-3 record, holding a 3.22 ERA through 44.2 innings pitched. He’s struck out 63 while walking 18 batters. Texas A&M will counter with sophomore Aiden Sims, who Jay referred to as their best pitcher on the post-game radio show. Sims holds a record of 6-0 with an ERA of 3.56 through 48.0 innings pitched, while striking out 51 and walking 15. The Tigers are starting to enter must-win territory with their resume status and while losing either of the next two games doesn’t end their season, it’s going to get exponentially harder as they continue to dig themselves a deeper hole. Follow me on X for much more @DCBilliotJr

Texas A&M Preview

By David Billiot Jr • April 17, 2026
Welcome back to the second edition of the statistical preview for LSU’s weekend opponent. There are two major changes this week. First, the rankings you see for each team are bases on SEC games ONLY. Last week was conference ranks that included all games played, but now that we’re halfway through the schedule, there is enough of a sample size that SEC games only can tell the full story. Second change is the inclusion of WHIP for the starting pitchers. For those that don’t know, WHIP stands for “walks + hits per inning pitched”. Basically, it’s how many guys a pitcher allows on base by his own doing, so it excludes runners that reach on errors. With that being said, please let me know if there is anything you’d like me to change or add going forward. My X account is listed below and my DMs are open, so feel free to reach out! Team Hitting Runs scored: 1st – 9.9 per game (LSU: 3rd – 7.1 per game) Batting average: 1st - .288 (LSU: 7th – .260) Doubles: 1st – 31 (LSU: 8th – 22) Homeruns: 2nd – 29 (LSU: T-6th – 24) On base %: 1st – .451 (LSU: T-5th – .409) Strikeouts: 15th – 121 (LSU: 12th – 137) Walks: 1st – 108 (LSU: 4th – 76) Hits: 1st – 11.2 per game (LSU: 6th – 8.7 per game) Stolen bases: 7th – 16 (LSU: 12th – 10) Team Pitching ERA: 15th – 6.94 (LSU: 11th – 5.94) Strikeouts: 15th – 123 (LSU: 2nd – 169) Walks: 12th – 55 (LSU: 3rd – 86) HRs allowed: 16th – 37 (LSU: 8th – 19) Hits allowed: 16th – 10.4 per game (LSU: 9th – 8.0 per game) Runs allowed: 14th – 6.8 per game (LSU: 13th – 6.7 per game) BA against: 16th – .300 (LSU: 7th – .242) Fielding: 4th – .979 (LSU: 16th – .963) Pitching Matchups Game 1 (Friday – 6:00 pm) Texas A&M – RS Jr LHP Shane Sdao: 3-2 record (9 starts) / 5.77 ERA / 48.1 IP / 1.53 WHIP / 58 Ks / 12 BBs LSU – Soph RHP Casan Evans: 2-1 record (9 starts) / 4.91 ERA / 47.2 IP / 1.36 WHIP / 68 Ks / 23 BBs Game 2 (Saturday – 7:00 pm) Texas A&M – Soph RHP Aiden Sims: 6-0 record (9 starts) / 3.56 ERA / 48.0 IP / 1.19 WHIP / 51 Ks / 15 BBs LSU – Soph RHP William Schmidt: 4-3 record (9 starts) / 3.22 ERA / 44.2 IP / 1.30 WHIP / 63 Ks / 18 BBs Game 3 (Sunday – 1:00 pm) Texas A&M – TBA LSU – TBA Top Hitters #13 Caden Sorrell – .368 BA / .456 OB% / 57 RBI / 45 R / 17 HR / 12 doubles / 19 BB / 38 K #9 Gavin Grahovac – .360 BA / .458 OB% / 49 RBI / 49 R / 10 HR / 11 doubles / 17 BB / 24 K #2 Nico Partida – .351 BA / .456 OB% / 37 RBI / 39 R / 11 HR / 7 doubles / 24 BB / 26 K #3 Jake Duer – .344 BA / .468 OB% / 36 RBI / 29 R / 4 HR / 10 doubles / 30 BB / 21 K #1 Terrence Kiel II – .290 BA / .442 OB% / 12 RBI / 32 R / 0 HR / 4 doubles / 20 BB / 13 K Follow me on X for much more @DCBilliotJr
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