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How can the Pelicans make their team better? ChatGPT weighs in.
Posted on 6/5/26 at 11:51 pm
Posted on 6/5/26 at 11:51 pm
The Pelicans' biggest problem isn't star power — it's roster construction, health, and defense.
After finishing 26–56 with one of the league's weaker defenses, the organization appears headed for another significant offseason under executive vice president Joe Dumars and new coach Jamahl Mosley.
1. Build a real defensive identity
New Orleans ranked near the bottom of the NBA defensively, allowing 120 points per game and posting a bottom-tier defensive rating.
Mosley earned a reputation in Orlando for defense and player development, so the Pelicans should lean into that.
A starting-caliber rim-protecting center would help tremendously. Several analysts have identified center as the roster's most obvious weakness.
2. Keep the Zion–Trey Murphy core
Unless an overwhelming offer appears, I'd keep:
* Zion Williamson
* Trey Murphy III
* Herb Jones
* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen
Reports indicate the Pelicans have already resisted trading much of that young core.
Murphy, in particular, looks like the ideal modern two-way wing to build around.
3. Decide what Zion's future really is
This is the franchise-defining question.
When healthy, Zion is still an All-NBA-level offensive force. The problem is availability. Since entering the league, injuries have repeatedly disrupted both his development and the team's continuity. ([New York Post][4])
The Pelicans have two paths:
**Path A:** Fully commit to Zion and build a roster that maximizes his strengths:
* Shooting at every position
* Rim protection behind him
* Fast-paced offense
**Path B:** If they believe his health will never stabilize, trade him while his value remains significant and pivot around Murphy, Fears, Queen, and future assets.
Given recent reporting, the front office appears closer to Path A.
4. Add more shooting
The Pelicans have often surrounded Zion with lineups that lack enough perimeter shooting.
To maximize Zion's downhill attacks, they need:
* Reliable catch-and-shoot wings
* Stretch bigs
* Bench scoring
Spacing has been a recurring issue throughout the Zion era.
5. Be patient with the young players
The most encouraging part of the roster may be the youth.
Players such as:
* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen
* Yves Missi
could become foundational pieces if developed properly. Mosley's reputation for player development is one reason the hire makes sense.
What I would do
If I were running the team:
1. Keep Zion for one more season.
2. Keep Trey Murphy untouchable.
3. Acquire a defensive center.
4. Add shooting around Zion.
5. Let Mosley develop Fears, Queen, and Missi.
6. Reevaluate Zion's future at the 2027 trade deadline if the team is still outside playoff contention.
That path gives New Orleans a chance to compete while avoiding a full rebuild. The Western Conference is too strong for half-measures, but the Pelicans still have enough talent that a smart retool is more sensible than tearing everything down.
After finishing 26–56 with one of the league's weaker defenses, the organization appears headed for another significant offseason under executive vice president Joe Dumars and new coach Jamahl Mosley.
1. Build a real defensive identity
New Orleans ranked near the bottom of the NBA defensively, allowing 120 points per game and posting a bottom-tier defensive rating.
Mosley earned a reputation in Orlando for defense and player development, so the Pelicans should lean into that.
A starting-caliber rim-protecting center would help tremendously. Several analysts have identified center as the roster's most obvious weakness.
2. Keep the Zion–Trey Murphy core
Unless an overwhelming offer appears, I'd keep:
* Zion Williamson
* Trey Murphy III
* Herb Jones
* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen
Reports indicate the Pelicans have already resisted trading much of that young core.
Murphy, in particular, looks like the ideal modern two-way wing to build around.
3. Decide what Zion's future really is
This is the franchise-defining question.
When healthy, Zion is still an All-NBA-level offensive force. The problem is availability. Since entering the league, injuries have repeatedly disrupted both his development and the team's continuity. ([New York Post][4])
The Pelicans have two paths:
**Path A:** Fully commit to Zion and build a roster that maximizes his strengths:
* Shooting at every position
* Rim protection behind him
* Fast-paced offense
**Path B:** If they believe his health will never stabilize, trade him while his value remains significant and pivot around Murphy, Fears, Queen, and future assets.
Given recent reporting, the front office appears closer to Path A.
4. Add more shooting
The Pelicans have often surrounded Zion with lineups that lack enough perimeter shooting.
To maximize Zion's downhill attacks, they need:
* Reliable catch-and-shoot wings
* Stretch bigs
* Bench scoring
Spacing has been a recurring issue throughout the Zion era.
5. Be patient with the young players
The most encouraging part of the roster may be the youth.
Players such as:
* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen
* Yves Missi
could become foundational pieces if developed properly. Mosley's reputation for player development is one reason the hire makes sense.
What I would do
If I were running the team:
1. Keep Zion for one more season.
2. Keep Trey Murphy untouchable.
3. Acquire a defensive center.
4. Add shooting around Zion.
5. Let Mosley develop Fears, Queen, and Missi.
6. Reevaluate Zion's future at the 2027 trade deadline if the team is still outside playoff contention.
That path gives New Orleans a chance to compete while avoiding a full rebuild. The Western Conference is too strong for half-measures, but the Pelicans still have enough talent that a smart retool is more sensible than tearing everything down.
2
Posted on 6/5/26 at 11:55 pm to Rhino67
What about trading Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, and multiple first round picks for Jaylen Brown?
If the deal is Dejounte Murray + Trey Murphy III + multiple first-round picks for Jaylen Brown, my reaction as a Pelicans fan would be: probably no.
Here's why.
Why Jaylen Brown is great
Jaylen Brown is the better player today. He's a proven championship-caliber two-way wing, a multiple-time All-Star, and can be the second-best player on a title team. Recent reports indicate New Orleans has at least explored the possibility of acquiring him.
Why the cost worries me
The problem is that you're not just trading Murray.
You're giving up:
* Trey Murphy III
* Dejounte Murray
* Multiple first-round picks
Murphy is only 26, shoots at a high level, defends multiple positions, and fits almost any roster. Around the league, he's viewed as one of New Orleans' most valuable assets and a foundational piece.
The question becomes:
How much better is Brown than Murphy over the next 4–5 years?
My answer: better, but not "Murphy + picks" better.
The roster fit
If you make the trade, you could end up with:
* Zion Williamson
* Jaylen Brown
* Herb Jones
* Young players such as Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen
That's a talented group, but you've also:
* Lost your best shooter (Murphy)
* Lost future draft flexibility
* Taken on Brown's massive contract
* Still not solved the center problem
Many Pelicans observers have argued that center and overall roster balance are bigger needs than another high-usage wing.
A version I'd consider
I would be much more interested in:
Murray + salary filler + 1–2 picks for Brown
or
Murphy + Murray for Brown with little or no additional draft compensation
But if Boston is demanding Murphy, Murray, and multiple firsts, New Orleans is probably paying a superstar price for a player who, while excellent, isn't quite in the tier of someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
My verdict
For the Celtics: I'd seriously consider it. Murphy is exactly the kind of young two-way wing teams covet, and the picks add flexibility.
For the Pelicans: I'd pass unless the draft compensation is minimal. Murphy's age, contract, shooting, and fit next to Zion make him almost as valuable to New Orleans as Brown is, and the extra picks could end up being the difference between a contender and a team that tops out in the middle of the Western Conference.
A trade I would prefer is using Murray and picks to acquire a high-level center while keeping Murphy. That improves the roster balance without sacrificing one of the team's best long-term assets.
If the deal is Dejounte Murray + Trey Murphy III + multiple first-round picks for Jaylen Brown, my reaction as a Pelicans fan would be: probably no.
Here's why.
Why Jaylen Brown is great
Jaylen Brown is the better player today. He's a proven championship-caliber two-way wing, a multiple-time All-Star, and can be the second-best player on a title team. Recent reports indicate New Orleans has at least explored the possibility of acquiring him.
Why the cost worries me
The problem is that you're not just trading Murray.
You're giving up:
* Trey Murphy III
* Dejounte Murray
* Multiple first-round picks
Murphy is only 26, shoots at a high level, defends multiple positions, and fits almost any roster. Around the league, he's viewed as one of New Orleans' most valuable assets and a foundational piece.
The question becomes:
How much better is Brown than Murphy over the next 4–5 years?
My answer: better, but not "Murphy + picks" better.
The roster fit
If you make the trade, you could end up with:
* Zion Williamson
* Jaylen Brown
* Herb Jones
* Young players such as Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen
That's a talented group, but you've also:
* Lost your best shooter (Murphy)
* Lost future draft flexibility
* Taken on Brown's massive contract
* Still not solved the center problem
Many Pelicans observers have argued that center and overall roster balance are bigger needs than another high-usage wing.
A version I'd consider
I would be much more interested in:
Murray + salary filler + 1–2 picks for Brown
or
Murphy + Murray for Brown with little or no additional draft compensation
But if Boston is demanding Murphy, Murray, and multiple firsts, New Orleans is probably paying a superstar price for a player who, while excellent, isn't quite in the tier of someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
My verdict
For the Celtics: I'd seriously consider it. Murphy is exactly the kind of young two-way wing teams covet, and the picks add flexibility.
For the Pelicans: I'd pass unless the draft compensation is minimal. Murphy's age, contract, shooting, and fit next to Zion make him almost as valuable to New Orleans as Brown is, and the extra picks could end up being the difference between a contender and a team that tops out in the middle of the Western Conference.
A trade I would prefer is using Murray and picks to acquire a high-level center while keeping Murphy. That improves the roster balance without sacrificing one of the team's best long-term assets.
Posted on 6/5/26 at 11:56 pm to Rhino67
Wrong wrong wrong.
This team isn’t doing anything with Zion. It’s that simple.
This team isn’t doing anything with Zion. It’s that simple.
Posted on 6/5/26 at 11:57 pm to Rhino67
Salary filler? You could have just said Jordan Poole.
Fair point. If we're talking about the Pelicans' current roster construction, mentioning "salary filler" without naming likely contracts is vague.
In a hypothetical Pelicans–Celtics framework for Jaylen Brown, a player like Jordan Poole could be used to help match salaries if he were on New Orleans' roster at the time of the trade. Other contracts could also be involved depending on the exact cap situation and league rules in effect.
That said, my main point wasn't really about which contract gets included. It was that I wouldn't want New Orleans to pay all three of these costs simultaneously:
Dejounte Murray
Trey Murphy III
Multiple first-round picks
for Jaylen Brown.
If the trade is essentially:
Murray + Poole + picks ? Brown
then I'd be much more interested.
If it's:
Murray + Murphy + Poole + multiple firsts ? Brown
then I think New Orleans is overpaying.
The reason is that Murphy isn't just a throw-in. He's one of the league's better young 3-and-D wings, fits perfectly next to Zion Williamson, and is entering his prime. Replacing Murphy's shooting and versatility could be harder than people realize, even if Brown is the superior overall player.
Fair point. If we're talking about the Pelicans' current roster construction, mentioning "salary filler" without naming likely contracts is vague.
In a hypothetical Pelicans–Celtics framework for Jaylen Brown, a player like Jordan Poole could be used to help match salaries if he were on New Orleans' roster at the time of the trade. Other contracts could also be involved depending on the exact cap situation and league rules in effect.
That said, my main point wasn't really about which contract gets included. It was that I wouldn't want New Orleans to pay all three of these costs simultaneously:
Dejounte Murray
Trey Murphy III
Multiple first-round picks
for Jaylen Brown.
If the trade is essentially:
Murray + Poole + picks ? Brown
then I'd be much more interested.
If it's:
Murray + Murphy + Poole + multiple firsts ? Brown
then I think New Orleans is overpaying.
The reason is that Murphy isn't just a throw-in. He's one of the league's better young 3-and-D wings, fits perfectly next to Zion Williamson, and is entering his prime. Replacing Murphy's shooting and versatility could be harder than people realize, even if Brown is the superior overall player.
Posted on 6/6/26 at 5:33 am to jamal
quote:this. I say there is a 50/50 chance he reports back tipping close to 300 lbs Trade him now
This team isn’t doing anything with Zion. It’s that simple.
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