After getting crushed by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs, with the New Orleans Pelicans getting swept in four games, the franchise is expected to make some drastic moves this summer in an attempt to compete with the top-tier teams in the Western Conference.
Ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, which will get underway on Wednesday, with the second round to follow on Thursday, all signs point to the Pelicans trading star forward Brandon Ingram, as it seems as though the team has given up on hopes he’ll live up to expectations in New Orleans.
Moving Ingram seems to be the team’s top priority moving forward, and it could be challenging, with the former No. 2 overall pick coming off a poor performance in the playoffs.
Despite the team’s intent to trade Ingram, New Orleans will also have to address other parts of the roster, with NBA free agency to follow next week’s draft, as it seems as though Naji Marshall may have played his last game for the Pelicans, according to Evan Sidery of Forbes.
The Pelicans are preparing to lose Naji Marshall in free agency as a strong market is expected for the versatile wing.
Teams with cap space as such as the Pistons, Sixers and Spurs are strong contenders to secure Marshall away from New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/pS3CJvbsGp
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 23, 2024
Although Marshall isn’t a game-changer for the Pelicans, he might still be a player that the team wants to retain for some depth on the roster unless he gets some offers on the open market that they are unwilling to match.
In 66 games with the Pelicans last season, which was his fourth year with the team, Marshall averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 46.3% from the floor and 38.7% from beyond the arc.
NEXT:
Insider Says He ‘Definitely’ Expects Pelicans Veteran To Be Traded
