May 2024 New Orleans Pelicans Wiretap

Pelicans Could Bid For Donovan Mitchell

May 18, 2024 9:17 AM

On the latest episode of The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN's Zach Lowe talked about teams that could be interested in trading for Donovan Mitchell. If Mitchell declines an extension, the thought is that the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to trade him before free agency in the summer of 2025.

Teams expected to be interested include the usual suspects like the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets. The has been some speculation that the Houston Rockets could also join that group. Lowe added the New Orleans Pelicans as a team to watch, should Mitchell hit the trade market.

New Orleans has hit a bit of a crossroads. Brandon Ingram has one year left on his contract. He's extension-eligible and could be looking for a max deal. The Cavs don't have a player with Ingram's skill/size combo at the forward spot. The Pelicans don't have a scoring guard quite like Mitchell, but do have some forward depth. That could make the two teams natural trade partners.

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Tags: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

Discuss
Dennis Lindsey, Trajan Langdon, Marc Eversley Emerge As Candidates For Pistons' Job

May 13, 2024 11:59 AM

While Tim Connelly is likely the Detroit Pistons' top candidate to run their front office and Jon Horst will not be made available for an interview, a number of other candidates have emerged.

Trajan Langdon, Dennis Lindsey and Marc Eversley are among the potential candidates for the Pistons, sources tell James L. Edwards III and Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

Langdon is currently general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans under David Griffin.

Lindsey is in an advisory role with the Dallas Mavericks. 

Eversley is general manager of the Chicago Bulls under Arturas Karnisovas. Eversley was a candidate for the Pistons in 2020 before they hired Troy Weaver.

James L. Edwards III, Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Jonas Valanciunas Will Not Return To Pelicans Next Season

May 11, 2024 2:36 PM

Jonas Valanciunas will not return to the New Orleans Pelicans next season, according to Michael Scotto of the HoopsHype Podcast.

Valanciunas is not seen as a fit on the roster next to Zion Williamson.

Brandon Ingram is also considered likely to be traded by the team this offseason.

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Tags: Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

Discuss
Brandon Ingram Considered 'Most Likely' To Be Traded By Pelicans

May 11, 2024 2:15 PM

Brandon Ingram is the player "most likely" to be traded by the New Orleans Pelicans, according Michael Scotto of the HoopsHype Podcast.

Ingram is entering into the final season of his $36 million contract.

Ingram reportedly had a "minor exchange" with head coach Willie Green during Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Thunder.

Ingram has also been linked with a possible deal to the Sixers.

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Tags: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

Discuss
Brandon Ingram, Willie Green Had 'Minor Exchange' In Game 2 Versus Thunder

May 8, 2024 11:26 PM

Brandon Ingram and Willie Green had a "minor exchange" during Game 2 of the New Orleans Pelicans' playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Zach Harper and Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Ingram reportedly wanted the ball more during the game.

Ingram is heading into the final year of his contract next season.

The Pelicans' forward has been linked as a possible trade candidate for the Sixers.

Zach Harper & Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Pelicans Encouraged By Zion Williamson's 'Progress With Mental, Physical State'

May 1, 2024 10:02 PM

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2024 offseason in a much better place compared to where they were last year. While sources tell The Athletic that Williamson was never included in any official trade offers, the Pelicans didn't express any urgency in denying rumors about his availability. The Pelicans were strongly linked with Scoot Henderson leading to the draft.

Sources also tell The Athletic that the Pelicans were "impressed by the progress Williamson made with his mental and physical state" before he suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of their play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Williamson remained engaged with teammates following the injury and was in the best shape of his NBA career.

During the previous offseason, the Pelicans hired Amy Atmore as director of rehabilitation. She worked with Williamson and other players on a more day-to-day basis, which contributed to him playing in a career-high 70 games. Williamson's relationship with Aaron Nelson, who was previously the head of the training staff, had "grown frigid over time."

Brandon Ingram is entering the final season of his contract with the Pelicans and his future with the franchise is believed to be far less certain than Williamson.

William Guillory/The Athletic

Tags: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss