In making this list of desirable targets for the Pelicans this summer, I probably had a list of 30+ players that I’d target if I were them, and, lucky for you, I whittled it down to ten!

The Pelicans have work to do this summer, no matter the approach, and of course, that starts with finding a head coach… which I wrote about here.

Even more important in finding the right head coach is strengthening this roster and building it towards the Dumars full-throttle approach to winning now.1

Since that’s the case, I figured I’d use my big, beautiful basketball brain to tell you who they should be on the hunt for… so without further ado, let’s get into it!

Trade Targets

Scotty Pippen Jr

I know most Pelicans fans are clamoring for a Ja Morant trade this offseason, but I see your Grizzlies guard, and I raise you a different one.

Undersized defensive guards are an archetype that NBA fans are waking back up — even though they should have never been asleep in the first place.

Andrew Nembhard, Jahmal Shead, Miles McBride, and Davoin Mitchell are all players who fall under the category of already quality fringe starters, who rise significantly in the playoffs.

Scotty Pippen is an established member of the club, and his defensive film is unbelievably heady. In an old-school fashion, Pippen seems to be around the ball constantly, repeatedly disrupting offenses because his head is on a swivel and his motor is unmatched.

All the film shows is that Pippen Jr. is a pure pest, and his defensive feel is through the roof. And the metrics concur.

Pippen Jr. logged only one full NBA season in 2024-25, but in that one, he was a 98th percentile player in defensive turnover impact. Per 100 possessions that year, Pippen was averaging six deflections(97th percentile), almost four forced turnovers (96th percentile), one offensive foul drawn (91st percentile), and a 4.5 stop percentage (98th percentile).

Pippen Jr. fits the current NBA trend as a backcourt defender, similar to successful guards in OKC, Portland, and Phoenix.

Not only can Pippen jr provide the vigor the Pelicans need consistently, but guard depth is also something they lack. A well-equipped playmaker, high-tempo capable guard, who provides the option to play multiple ball-handlers on the floor at the same time, is also a luxury the Pels didn’t have this past season.

Though his volume is low, Pippen Jr. is a reliable shooter, hitting 43% catch-and-shoot threes and nearly 40% overall from three.

I haven’t even gotten to the best part, he’s on a $2.5 million contract next year with a 2.7 million team option for 27-28 — that might make him less of a trade bargain… but value like that is something you cannot pass up.

While it’s hard to say exactly how a deal would come together, I doubt a package of just second-round picks would be enough—perhaps including Jordan Hawkins and a second would work, which feels like an absolute steal.

In any case, if Dumars wants the 2026-27 Pelicans to be tough and relentless, Scotty Pippen Jr. is the vision.

Paul Reed

In a crowded frontcourt of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart in the second-string spot, Paul Reed is one of the most underrated and, honestly, underused assets in the NBA.

Despite the Pelicans’ crowded frontcourt, Reed’s production could prove vital next season.

Reed is a player who inexplicably convinces you that his team is astronomically better with him on the floor.

My favorite aspect of his game: His defensive versatility in pick-and-roll coverages. Often, in the NBA, you see bigs who are only capable of playing one or two looks — Paul can excel in drop, hedge, switch, and blitz ball handlers too.

It’s his ability to play out at the level, his versatility, and his ability to impact the game at the rim and out in space as a defender that is special. Coaches aren’t pigeonholed into playing defense one specific way with Reed out there.

Reed ranked in the 96th percentile in screener mobile defense and 90th in screener rim defense, so the notion that he’s a multi-faceted defender is certainly backed. Even with Detroit’s dynamite defense, the Pistons on that end are 4.3 points better in rating with Reed on the floor, and their opponents’ shot quality takes a hit.

Yes, the Pel’s depth chart is slightly jammed in the frontcourt, featuring an eclectic collection of bigs. However, having depth and a player like Reed who can toggle between the 4 and the 5, giving you more modern double big looks, is a major asset — especially with the regular season.

He’d easily earn a spot in the top eight of the rotation and would be a quality pairing next to Derik Queen, allowing Queen to play the 4 while Paul covers some of his defensive shortcomings.

He can stretch the floor offensively, too; it isn’t because Reed is a classic-stretch big, but he is easily playable from 18+ feet out and has an understated short roll game.

Not only that, he bolsters second-chance opportunities. I knew he was a good offensive rebounder, but he’s actually in the 100th percentile per 100 possessions.

Though Paul Reed wasn’t acquired by the Pistons under Troy Weaver, Weaver should now make him a Pelican. Reed’s $5.6 million contract and underutilized role make him an ideal hidden gem for the summer.

Derrick White

When the court of basketball opinion on someone is low, that is the exact moment when a front office should get savvy and buy the dip.

After the Celtics blew a 3-1 lead to Philly, and Derrick White shot it so poorly he couldn’t throw it in the ocean, HE is at the dip.

I’m fully aware that Derrick White is almost 32, and his contract is only increasing all the way through the 2028-29 season — and also, this front office getting on the phone to strike deals with Brad Stevens is like a cocky-frat guy thinking he could take a UFC fighter.

Yet, I’m fully drawn in — because if Dumars’ goal is to compete now and win basketball games… White is your guy.

There isn’t a single impact metric that Derrick White doesn’t shine in, he’s an analytics darling, and that may not move your needle — but there’s a reason why the spreadsheet wizards favor him.

Even during shooting slumps, White’s presence maintains Boston’s offensive potency.

His constant, high-level movement off-ball, proficient playmaking, and yes, floor-stretching ability (even if shots aren’t falling) make for an elite tertiary offensive player.

Players who leverage and harness space are desperately needed for the Pelicans, and White is one of the NBA’s best in that regard.

On the other end of the floor, though, White isn’t the atypical lockdown point of attack defender, as he is on offense. Defensively, the small plays add up to a substantial footprint.

Calling it substantial is honestly a short-sell. White’s influence on opponents’ true shooting % was the best in the NBA this season. And he just so happens to be the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA, so it isn’t all little things.

I don’t know if Boston is willing to deal him, but the phone will be ringing for Derrick White, and if I were calling the shots on Airline Highway — I’d be throwing this offer.

Free Agents

Navigating trades with this Pelicans roster is tough, since many expendable players lack value. For a team focused on winning, free agency is an excellent path to find the right contributors.

Tari Eason

Speaking of drawn-out shooting slumps, Tari Eason’s contract expires this summer, and it is almost a sure-fire thing that the Rockets can’t afford to pay him.

While Eason may not solve the Pelicans’ floor-spacing needs, his presence would shift the team’s identity toward defense.

Eason is one of the most flexible defenders in the league, able to guard 1-5 at the highest level while forcing turnovers at an extremely high clip.

I could rave about Eason’s defense and how his offense could easily be above average if he were in a different system than Houston. Still, more importantly, he addresses the issue that every single Pelican spoke about in the season-ending presser.

Defensive rebounding.

A major statistical eye-sore for the Pelicans this past season was getting killed by opponents on the offensive glass; that hole in the defensive wall can be taken care of just fine by slapping a Tari Eason poster right over it.

The Rockets had a 25.2 opponent offensive rebound percentage with Eason on the floor this season, which would be good for 8th in the NBA— without him, it drops to 29.1%, which would be even worse than the Pels, who were bottom 3 in the NBA in that category.

Eason’s 7'2 wingspan is on display when he’s snatching rebounds over centers, and getting tips on loose balls that few players can get to.

If Houston can’t pay Eason, expect significant interest around the league. His likely contract, a four-year deal in the $18-25 million range, is only feasible for New Orleans if they move off Jordan Poole, decline my guy Kevon Looney’s team option, and negotiate a reasonable extension for Saddiq Bey. (All tall tasks)

If it’s on the table, paying Tari Eason will be pleasant news this summer, and the Pels will undoubtedly be a better basketball team with him.

Mitchell Robinson

The absolute #1 player on my list for the Pelicans to go after this season is the Big Apple’s Round Mound of Rebound — Mitchell Robinson.

Robinson will be a free agent this summer, but in all honesty, I virtually see no way the Knicks let him walk just because of the impact he provides; nevertheless, New York is deep into the first apron and right above the second… meaning their options are limited.

Robinson is the best offensive rebounder in basketball, and the Knicks as a team get almost 10% better in O-REB percentage when Robinson is on the floor, totaling to 36.7%… which would clear the Rockets by 2%, who lead the regular season by a landslide in this figure.

Configuring lineups to maximize possessions and increase true shot attempts is one of the most prominent trends in the NBA over the past few seasons, and having Big Mitch on your team practically cements your place in the upper echelon in that regard.

Unlike with Paul Reed, Robinson’s place in the Pelicans frontcourt hierarchy isn’t as unknown — he’s a starting center on almost any team in the NBA, and is worth every single penny of the big contract he’ll sign this summer, which I anticipate being in the 20-25 million range.

Money needs to be moved around for the Pelicans to make my hoop-wishes come true, but there’s no question it would be worth it for Pels’ brass to bring Mitchell Robinson, the Louisiana native, home.

Robinson, the Louisiana Native — Joe Dumars brings this man home.

There are so many players I’d love to see the Pels gun for this summer in free agency, so I’ll do some quick hitters before your lunch break ends.

Collin Gillespie — Absolute motor maniac who has some of the best range in the NBA, especially for a role player. Gillespie has a flame thrower with one of the highest 3-point rates in the league on absurd efficiency and has improved drastically this past season. The Suns will no doubt retain him on a relatively team-friendly deal. But Gillespie, bringing guard depth as a quality sixth man or in an on-and-off starting role for the Pelicans, would be a top-notch signing.

Day’Ron Sharpe — Sharpe continues to be one of the best litmus tests for the NBA-obsessed high ball-knowledge community. Sharpe has a $6 million team option this summer, which the Nets will surely pick up, despite being slightly above ground zero in the rebuild. He’s an excellent defensive anchor and should be a playoff-builder as we speak. I put him side by side with Ayo Dosunmu as far as easy buy-lows this past trade deadline. Sharpe is a high-feel player who makes plays on both ends of the floor, and the Pelicans would be lucky to have him at around the mid-level exception price of $14 million or less.

Garrison Matthews — Sick name, even sicker of a shooter. Remember Matt Ryan (not the one New Orleans sports fans hate), the sharpshooter from the 49 win team in 23-24’? Matthews is that, but better; he’s a budget Isaiah Joe and an easy pickup for the Pelicans this summer. He’s 10x the shooter Jordan Hawkins is, and even cheaper.

Dean Wade- One of the most beloved teammates in Cleveland, Wade is on an expiring $6.6 million contract and provides the Pelicans with the outside shooting that was absent all season. Wade sports the 4 spot in the lineup, a dense position for New Orleans with Zion and Queen, but has the capability at the 5 and is an overlooked defender by many. Playoff experienced, high-feel, lights-out 3 point shooter who isn’t a defensive liability — sounds like an A+ signing for the Pels.

Matisse Thybulle — A grounded veteran who played solid minutes for the Blazers in round one against the Spurs, Thybulle is an average shooter who still has some elite juice defending at the point of attack. A price of $6-8 million for Thybulle would be a reasonable deal and a nice addition as a vet on an incredibly young Pels team.

The list was long, it remained that way, though I tried to shorten it — all because I had an abundance of basketball ideas for the Pelicans.

Maybe you didn’t like my trade targets or free-agent targets. The beauty in that is you can be wrong let me know why you disagree, and give me the guys you’d go after this summer if you were Joe Dumars!

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