Why Kevin Durant at the Pelicans is the best possible trade

Kevin Durant will perhaps (probably?) not be transferred any time soon and the rumors of his departure as well as the potential destinations are likely to be discussed for weeks, even months. But there is already a team where we would like to find him next season. A hypothesis that seems more than credible to us. The one that leads him… to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Brian Windhorst recently confided that it was necessary to take very seriously the frankness of Louisiana on this file. She might be interested in KD and Brandon Ingramthe All-Star winger who would join the Brooklyn Nets following this scenario, would be among the targets of the New York organization according to Mark Stein.

These are good basics. Especially since with their collection of draft rounds – 10 over the next 5 years – the Pelicans are in excellent position to win the auction if they decide to join the fight for one of the three best players in the league. .

The first question amounts to asking whether they have an interest in doing so. Many Toronto Raptors fans, for example, believe that their franchise should not sacrifice Scottie Barnes for Kevin Durant. The reigning ROY will probably never be as strong as the two-time NBA champion. It’s not even guaranteed, for all his potential, that he’ll become a ten-time All-Star player or MVP candidate.

Except that here, he will celebrate his 21st birthday in August. Its potential is still untapped. The unknown intrigues. The simple fact that we don’t know contributes somewhere to… overestimating it? The situation is different with Ingram. Even if he remains young, the All-Star winger is going on his 25th birthday. He is slowly starting to return to his “prime” with already six NBA seasons in his legs. Oh, by the way: it’s also not certain that Barnes will ever be stronger than a winger who compiles 22 to 23 points with almost 6 rebounds and 6 assists while being 36% at three-point in his career. Maybe. But not sure.

Ingram is promising but already confirmed. But by transferring it, the Pelicans do not particularly mortgage ten (potential) years. They just choose the ultimate version of Ingram with Durant. The franchise can almost afford it because they own anyway Zion Williamson in its ranks. And the first choice of the 2019 draft has just extended for a maximum of five additional years.

As strong as he is, BI will probably never be the true superstar of New Orleans. Who knows what the future holds for him but he will not fight, at least a priori, in the same category as the Durants, etc. Zion is meant for it. Even if, there once more, it is hypothetical. The idea is that the Pelicans can part ways with Ingram and still retain their future superstar.

They still have resources to enhance the deal. Picks galore. The Nets might even choose the picks that they think are the most interesting. Like that of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025 for example, following a possible departure from LeBron James. Or a pick further away from the Pelicans, in 2027 or 2028, once Williamson’s contract has expired (and Durant presumably moved elsewhere).

What if the Nets kept Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?

The most reliable insiders repeat that Brooklyn wants a star, a promising young player and draft rounds in exchange for Kevin Durant. Ingram alone fits the first two categories. But to really win the day, the Pelicans can add Jaxson Hayesa 22-year-old pivot who jumps over everyone, and/or the rookie Dyson Daniels, eighth choice of the last draft and who has still not been signed… as luck would have it. The 19-year-old Australian leader also has interesting potential.

So that would make Ingram, Hayes and Daniels along with four picks for Durant. Financially, it sticks. Sportingly too. This is a golden opportunity for New Orleans. The franchise has wanted to play at the top of the table for several years. She didn’t make it with Anthony Davis, even though the Pelicans still made it through in 2018.

The Pelicans already have the weapons to support KD. Zion would be a top-notch first bis option. A machine of mass destruction when his body takes the shock, even if it’s a big if. CJ McCollum et Jonas Valančiūnas have both been borderline All-Stars. These are confirmed veterans who can contribute to a team that is playing for the title. Joseph Alvarado et Herb Jones are energetic, combative young players who give their all on the pitch. Devonte Graham would inevitably find some skill alongside a star like Durant.

The set is really attractive. A little extra touch at the Free Agency or during the season and this team can go far if its two stars – injury prone – remain healthy. By the way, important note: the presence of Kevin Durant and the prospect of playing the title would obviously increase the market value of the Pelicans, which the owner has been trying to resell since the death of her husband Tom Benson (should we also remember that KD has started his career in Seattle, always placed in the event of a buyout and move to the NBA, and that he loves the city?).

Even for the Nets, that makes sense. Brandon Ingram would find Ben Simmons, the player drafted just before him in 2016 (PS: Yes, BK can bring Ingram without having to transfer Simmons because the former Lakers player signed his max contract as an unrestricted free agent) . With Daniels, Hayes, Seth Curry, Patty Mills, TJ Warren, Royce O’Neale, Nicolas Claxton, Cam Thomas et Kyrie Irving or the consideration recovered in exchange for the All-Star point guard, New Yorkers might aim for the top-10 in the East while preparing for the future.

Especially since the recovered picks would qualify the penalty associated with all those who were sent to the Houston Rockets in exchange for James Harden. This deal makes sense. Perhaps more than all the others. It’s up to the Pelicans to play.