The NBA offseason is always an exciting time for basketball fans as teams look to make moves to improve their rosters and make a push for the playoffs in the new season. One potential trade that could devastate the Western Conference is between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns. Both teams have talented rosters and could benefit from a trade that addresses their specific needs. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of a trade between these two teams and what it could mean for their respective futures in the NBA.
We will analyze the players involved, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they could fit into each team’s system. The trade involves future Hall of Famer Chris Paul returning home to the city that welcomed him in New Orleans to see out his career. Paul was an icon for the New Orleans Hornets, making four All-Star Teams and somehow creating a title contender with the likes of David West and Tyson Chandler as his go-to teammates and sidekicks. While it would be an excellent feel-good story, Paul to New Orleans would also be a fascinating trade that would place the Pelicans on the map.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns made the biggest splash in the season by trading for Kevin Durant to pair with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. The Suns made it to the second round of the playoffs but were unable to take the talented Denver Nuggets led by superstar Nikola Jokic and the supporting cast around him. The Suns ran out of steam against the Nuggets despite the heroics of Durant and Booker, and the team clearly needed depth and energy instead of another star player. To improve their depth and give the stars more reliable role players, a blockbuster deal between the Pelicans and Suns would be interesting, to say the least.
Here are the trade details that could shape up the Western Conference by improving the Pelicans’ superstar power and giving the Suns three young players to compete on both ends of the floor around superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
The Pelicans Land Legendary Point Guard
Credit: Fadeaway World
Trade Details
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr., Jaxson Hayes
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Chris Paul
This trade has the potential to shake up the NBA landscape and provide both teams with the pieces they need to take the next step in their development. So, let’s dive in and explore the possibilities of a New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns trade.
Phoenix Provides Durant And Booker Teammates With Energy And Two-Way Play
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the most talented teams in the NBA this season, with a record of 45-37, as they had a strong chance of making a deep playoff run. However, there are still some areas where the team could use improvement, particularly in their frontcourt depth and their long-term outlook. This is where a potential trade for Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr., and Jaxson Hayes could come into play. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have superstar-scoring talent but they could not lead the team to the Finals singlehandedly without the help in terms of perimeter defense and capable bigs who provide energy. Deandre Ayton is strong offensively, but his lulls on defense hurt the team far more than expected.
Firstly, let’s take a look at Chris Paul’s current situation with the Suns. Paul has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season, averaging 13.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.9 APG, and 1.5 SPG while playing 59 games. He has also been a strong leader on and off the court, helping to mentor the team’s young players and providing a veteran presence in the locker room. However, Paul is also 38 years old and has a large contract that runs through the 2024-25 season. This could potentially limit the Suns’ flexibility in the future, especially if they want to make additional moves to improve their roster.
On the other hand, Alvarado, Nance Jr., and Hayes could provide the Suns with some much-needed depth and youth. Alvarado is a promising guard who has shown flashes of potential in his second season with the Pelicans as he posted 9.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, and 1.1 SPG. Nance Jr. is a versatile forward who can play multiple positions and provide solid defense and rebounding. Hayes is a young center who has shown some promise as a rim protector and finisher around the basket. All three players are on affordable contracts and could potentially develop into key contributors for the Suns in the future.
New Orleans Finally Has Starpower To Push For The Finals
The New Orleans Pelicans have been a team on the rise in recent years, with a young and talented roster that has shown a lot of promise. However, they have also struggled to find consistent success on the court, and many fans and analysts believe that they need to make some changes in order to take the next step. Chris Paul, who has been one of the best players in the league for over a decade, could be a game-changer for a young and inexperienced Pelicans side that does not have on-court leadership. Paul is a proven winner and leader, and he could provide the Pelicans with the experience and stability they need to compete at a higher level.
In order to acquire Paul, the Pelicans would likely need to part with some of their young talent, including players like Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr., and Jaxson Hayes. While these players have shown potential, they are still unproven at the NBA level, and it may be worth sacrificing them in order to bring in a player of Paul’s caliber. Although he is currently 38 years old and may not have many years left at the top of his game, his leadership and track record in improving up-and-coming teams has been spectacular (Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Suns). However, the Pelicans could view this as a short-term move to help them compete in the near future while also providing valuable leadership and mentorship to their young players.
Perhaps most importantly, Paul would be a blessing for the duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Williamson has already made two All-Star Teams, but his lack of health, willingness to keep under a specific weight, and keep motivated have harmed the team. Paul’s presence would help Zion learn the ropes of superstardom and also take accountability for the team’s success, while Ingram could also improve his all-around game and return back to the All-Star Game. Paul is in his final years, but the impact he can make on Zion and Ingram would be massive and when the point guard plays, a lineup with himself, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Jonas Valanciunas would also make New Orleans a legitimate threat to make the NBA Finals.
A Win-Win Trade That Benefits Both Teams
The last time the New Orleans-based franchise was a contender was when Chris Paul led the charge alongside David West and Tyson Chandler. Chris Paul could make the team competitive again, except this time, the point guard has more than one or two talented players to compete alongside because Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are legitimate All-Stars, while CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas are exceptional in what they do best in terms of scoring and rebounding respectively.
Meanwhile, the Suns need players who are available and always compete on defense because Chris Paul cannot stay healthy consistently and does not exactly provide youth alongside Durant and Booker. Deandre Ayton is a talented offensive player, but he is not exactly the most defensive-minded big man, and the duo of Larry Nance Jr and Jaxson Hayes would make the paint far more clogged in favor of the Suns. A starting lineup with Jose Alvarado, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Larry Nance Jr, and Deandre Ayton would be tough to compete against on both ends of the court.
It is not often that a trade that sends a future Hall of Famer like Chris Paul to another team benefits both sides of a deal. Although, the Pelicans need a leader on and off the floor while a point guard who sets up the offense is extremely important. The Suns have two superstar players that are good enough to hold a top-3 seed in the West, but they need more young players and big men who want to play defense consistently. While New Orleans benefits from Paul’s age and experience, the Phoenix Suns add youth and depth to a side that desperately needs both.
