Pelicans rumors: NOLA seeking to trade into 1st round of NBA Draft

The New Orleans Pelicans will have some new energy around their organization next season after hiring Jamahl Mosley as their head coach. Before the season gets here, the Pelicans will have the chance to make some moves and improve their roster, starting with the draft.

Unfortunately, the Pelicans don’t have a first-round pick after trading it to the Atlanta Hawks last year, but there are rumors that they’re looking to get a pick, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“While the Pelicans own just this one second-round pick, sources say New Orleans is exploring ways to move up in the back end of the first round,” Siegel wrote. “The Pelicans have called both the Lakers and Cavs about trading into the first round.

“However, potentially leveraging Herb Jones in an offseason trade could result in the Pelicans securing a top-20 pick in this year’s draft. At this time, the Pelicans have yet to make Jones, Trey Murphy III, or Zion Williamson available in trade talks. Jordan Poole is the player New Orleans would like to move this summer.”

The Pelicans have the assets on their team that could garner them a first-round pick, but it doesn’t look like they want to give them up. Jones, Murphy or Williamson could get them a pick, but it’s uncertain if Poole could, especially after how he played last season.

At the same time, the Pelicans may want to see what they have with their current group and if Mosley can get the best out of them. Health was their problem early last season, but once everyone was available late in the year, they started to make strides. That could be a good sign as more to come for the Pelicans, and if they can add a few key players in the offseason, there should be major improvement.

The post Pelicans rumors: NOLA seeking to trade into 1st round of NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.