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.


A basketball player with the number 3 on his jersey

  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.


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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.

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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.


Two basketball players are playing a game of basketball on a court.

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.


A basketball player wearing a hornets shirt is standing on the court.

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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Louisiana Looks to Get Back on Track Against Troy: Game Preview, Keys to the Game, and Prediction

By Abdul Abusada • October 17, 2026
The 4-2 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are back home at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium this weekend as they prepare to host the 3-2 Troy Trojans on Saturday afternoon at 4pm. Both teams are looking to pick up an important Sun Belt Conference victory, with Louisiana entering at 1-1 in conference play and Troy sitting at 1-0. The Trojans are the defending Sun Belt West Division champions as they beat the Cajuns last year, making Saturday’s matchup an important one for both teams’ conference championship hopes. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Louisiana is looking to rebound from a heartbreaking 32-31 loss to Louisiana Tech last Saturday in Ruston. In what was an exciting renewal of the rivalry between the two schools, the Cajuns led for much of the second half, at one point holding a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, questionable late-game offensive decisions, an inability to slow down Louisiana Tech’s offense in the final minutes, and costly turnovers came back to haunt the Cajuns. The Bulldogs scored 13 unanswered points in the final four minutes to complete the comeback, while a Lunch Winfield interception on Louisiana’s final possession ended any hopes of a response. One big positive from the game was Louisiana’s ability to air the ball out and create explosive plays. Winfield completed 14 of his 24 passes for a season-high 239 yards, averaging 17.1 yards per completion. Receivers found themselves open, and Winfield made some impressive throws, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to KeDarius Wade in the fourth quarter. But three costly turnovers, including a lost fumble by Winfield in the red zone on Louisiana’s opening drive, overshadowed an otherwise productive offensive performance. Despite injuries and other adversity, Louisiana’s offense has continued to evolve. Winfield has shown improvement as a passer, completing 72% of his throws for 1,083 yards this season. And while passing hasn’t been the Cajuns’ primary method of moving the football, Winfield has been effective on the ground, leading the team with 398 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The Cajuns will also be dealing with another injury at receiver. Landon Strother is expected to miss an extended period after suffering an injury against Louisiana Tech. The good news is that Shelton Sampson Jr. made an encouraging return to the passing game last week, recording his first two receptions of the season for 60 yards. Defensively, Louisiana has remained strong against the run, allowing just 100.7 yards per game. However, the pass defense struggled against Louisiana Tech, surrendering 319 passing yards and three touchdowns to quarterback Blake Baker. The Cajuns held the Bulldogs to just 13 points through three quarters before allowing 19 in the fourth. Injuries have tested this defense, but the bottom line is simple: Louisiana needs four full quarters of consistent defensive football if it wants to win games like these. Kneaux the Opponent: Troy Trojans Unlike Louisiana, Troy enters Saturday’s matchup coming off its most dominant offensive performance of the season, defeating Southern Miss 55-34 last weekend. The Trojans put up a whopping 662 yards of total offense, including 437 rushing yards. Quarterback Goose Crowder completed 18 of his 21 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns while adding 145 rushing yards and two more scores on 17 carries. Running back Jordan Lovett also had an impressive performance, rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries. Troy’s offense has heavily relied on the ground game this season, averaging 220.4 rushing yards per contest. Running backs Gavin Griffin, Jaheim Merriweather, and Jordan Lovett have combined for nearly 900 rushing yards, with each averaging roughly five yards or more per carry. Now, it’s worth mentioning that Troy was averaging about 166 rushing yards per game before its explosion against Southern Miss, so the numbers are inflated following the win over a struggling Golden Eagles team. Nevertheless, with Crowder also showing what he can do on the ground, this is a rushing attack Louisiana will have to take seriously. Crowder hasn’t necessarily been the most consistent passer, completing just 57% of his throws while averaging 209 yards per game. But his performance against Southern Miss showed what he’s capable of when the offense gets going. Defensively, Troy has been solid against the run, allowing just 113.6 rushing yards per game and holding opponents to under four yards per carry. The Trojans are also allowing 24 points per game, including holding a ranked Missouri team to 27 points in a 10-point road loss. It’s been a different story through the air, however. Troy has allowed 236.2 passing yards per game and 10 passing touchdowns through five games. Even in its blowout victory over Southern Miss, the Trojans surrendered 391 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. But that’s not to say this defense isn’t dangerous. Troy forced three turnovers against Southern Miss and has seven takeaways this season. One player Louisiana will need to keep an eye on is Donnie Smith, a 6-foot-4, 234-pound edge defender who has recorded five sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles this season. Smith has been disruptive all year and will present a challenge for Louisiana’s offensive line and Winfield. Luckily, the offensive line is expected to be a full health with Matt Broussard returning after being in concussion protocol ever since the USC game. Three Keys to a Louisiana Victory 1. Slow Down Troy’s Rushing Attack Saturday presents an intriguing matchup between two teams that have found plenty of success running the football. Troy averages 220 rushing yards per game, while Louisiana averages 193. Both teams also have strong run defenses, making the battle in the trenches particularly important. For Louisiana, the biggest challenge will be containing a Troy rushing attack coming off a 437-yard performance. The Cajuns have allowed just 3.5 yards per carry and a little over 100 rushing yards per game this season. If they can hold Troy to under 150 or even 130 yards on the ground, it could force the Trojans to rely more heavily on a passing game that hasn’t been nearly as consistent. 2. Take Advantage of Troy’s Pass Defense Troy has struggled at times defending the pass, allowing more than 236 yards per game through the air. That said, this could be a great opportunity for Louisiana to get its passing game going. The problem is that Louisiana averages just 189 passing yards per contest, despite Winfield’s impressive completion percentage. Now granted, the Cajuns haven’t necessarily needed to throw the ball much this season with their success on the ground. But against a defense that has given up some big performances through the air, I think this is an opportunity worth taking. If Winfield can find KeDarius Wade, Trenton Chaney, Shelton Sampson Jr., and other playmakers in space, Louisiana could have some success moving the football. It almost paid off last weekend, so against a flimsy pass defense, no reason it doesn’t pan out well this weekend. Now Troy has been particularly strong inside the red zone, allowing opponents to score on just 12 of 19 opportunities, so just moving the football won’t be enough. The big positive for the Cajuns this season is they are 23 of 24 in the red zone, with their one missed opportunity being the fumble on the Cajuns’ opening drive of the game last week. They’ve done it well this season, but against a good red zone defense, the Cajuns will need to continue finish drives with points, and with touchdowns more so than field goals. 3. Protect the Football This might be the most important key of them all. Louisiana has committed 10 turnovers through six games, including three against Louisiana Tech. Troy, meanwhile, has forced seven turnovers in five games, three of which came against Southern Miss. The Cajuns have done a good job creating turnovers themselves, recording 12 takeaways this season. But as last week’s loss showed, giving the football away in costly situations can change the outcome of a game. For Louisiana, the goal is simple: protect the football, make smart decisions, and don’t give Troy unnecessary opportunities. Winfield as a leader has shown that he can bounce back from mistakes. But against a disruptive Troy defense, he and the rest of the offense will need to be disciplined for four full quarters. My Final Score Prediction: Louisiana 34, Troy 31 I see this game being another exciting, closely contested matchup, much like last week’s game against Louisiana Tech. It’s not as deep of a rivalry, but the implications that may come from this game will surely make it feel like one. Both teams run the football well but will be facing some pretty good run defenses. Because of that, I wouldn’t be surprised if both offenses have to rely more on their passing games than usual. Luckily, the Cajuns ended up in that situation last week, and it worked well until costly mistakes took over. Now that they have that under their belts, let’s see if they can improve on that. In my opinion, two of the biggest deciding factors will be turnovers and special teams. Louisiana has had much more offensive success when they win the turnover battle, so keeping the ball secure will be imperative in order to win this game. Louisiana also has an advantage in the kicking game, with Tony Sterner perfect on all eight of his field goal attempts this season, compared to Troy’s 7-for-11 mark. When red zone defense plays a factor, the kicker will play a big role. Another factor to take into consideration is home-field advantage. Louisiana enters Saturday undefeated at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium this season with a 3-0 home record. Troy, on the other hand, has yet to win a game on the road, losing both of its away matchups against Missouri and Utah State. As long as Coach Des’ play-calling is on point, the offense limits costly mistakes, and the defense can slow down Troy’s rushing attack, I think Louisiana has what it takes to come away with a victory. It won’t be easy, but I’m taking the Cajuns to win a close one, get back on track, and get some revenge after last year’s 35-23 loss at Troy. Follow Abdul Abusada and Cajun Sports Talk on Instagram @CajunSportsTalk for all things Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football. 

Week 7: LSU vs. Mississippi State Preview

By Chrissy Smith • October 16, 2026
BATON ROUGE - LSU will have an opportunity to get back on track Saturday when Mississippi State visits Tiger Stadium for an SEC matchup that carries plenty of importance for both teams. The Tigers are coming off a disappointing 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky, a game that left little room for error as they continue working toward their postseason goals. Mississippi State, meanwhile, enters the matchup at 4-1 after a bye week, looking to respond to a 56-23 loss to Alabama. LSU is 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in SEC play, while the Bulldogs are 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference action. With both teams looking to make a statement, Saturday presents an important opportunity for the Tigers to protect their home field. LSU's Offense Has an Opportunity to Get Back on Track Quarterback Sam Leavitt and the LSU offense will be one of the biggest storylines heading into Saturday's game. The Tigers have been productive offensively, averaging approximately 525 yards per game. Leavitt has thrown for 1,496 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also providing a running threat with seven rushing touchdowns. However, turnovers have been an issue, with Leavitt throwing eight interceptions this season. LSU cannot afford to give Mississippi State extra opportunities, particularly with the Tigers looking to regain some consistency after the loss to Kentucky. The Bulldogs have struggled against the pass, allowing 247.4 passing yards per game. That could create opportunities for Leavitt to attack through the air, especially if LSU can establish its running game and keep Mississippi State's defense from focusing entirely on the passing attack. Mississippi State's Quarterback Situation Bears Watching Mississippi State's offense could look different depending on the availability of quarterback Kamario Taylor, who is listed as questionable with a lower-body injury. Taylor has been one of the Bulldogs' most important players, leading an offense that has averaged 487 yards per game. His status will be worth monitoring leading up to kickoff. Running back Fluff Bothwell is also questionable after suffering an injury against Alabama. If either player is unavailable, Mississippi State could have to rely more heavily on its depth. Wide receiver Anthony Evans III remains an important player to watch. He has recorded 40 receptions for 574 yards and five touchdowns, making him a key target for the Bulldogs. Defense and Turnovers Could Decide the Game LSU's defense will need to take advantage of any uncertainty surrounding Mississippi State's offense. Forcing the Bulldogs into difficult third-down situations and limiting explosive plays will be important, especially early in the game. The Tigers also need to finish drives. Moving the ball between the 20-yard lines is encouraging, but converting those opportunities into touchdowns is what separates productive offenses from winning ones. LSU has won the last three meetings between these programs, including a 41-14 victory in 2023. The Tigers will look to continue that trend Saturday. Prediction LSU has the offensive talent and home-field advantage to win this matchup, but the Tigers must play with greater consistency. Protecting the football, establishing the run and taking advantage of Mississippi State's passing-defense struggles should be priorities. After a frustrating loss to Kentucky, LSU needs a complete performance. Saturday is an opportunity to show that the Tigers can respond to adversity and keep their SEC season moving in the right direction.
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