Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[Tyler]

Hollinger

In a vacuum, the Pelicans had the right idea in declining the fourth-year option on Herb Jones to lock him into this next contract right now (a reported four years, $54 million). The problem is that entailed a $10 million raise for Jones this season, and the Pelicans … don’t really have the money for it.

Even after waiving Garrett Temple on Wednesday, New Orleans projects to be $5 million over the tax line if it fills the last two roster slots with veteran minimum contracts. This is a franchise that is, shall we say, averse to paying the luxury tax, which means the likelihood remains high that the Pels move either Kira Lewis Jr. or Jonas Valančiūnas just to shimmy under. How much that will cost them remains a question.

Hmm...

So the Pelicans need to shed money. And with no Thybulle, Dallas has $10.5mm-ish in space left under the apron. The cost difference between Valanciunas and McGee is just under $10mm. Would the Pelicans trade Val for McGee + 2 2nds?