The New Orleans Pelicans seem to be in for another brutal year. Their 3-21 start has dropped them to the bottom of the West and deepened the uncertainty that followed last season’s 21-61 collapse.
Injuries have erased whatever momentum they hoped to build. Zion Williamson played only ten games before an adductor injury shut him down for the foreseeable future. Jordan Poole’s quad injury has kept him out. Herb Jones is working through a calf strain, and Dejounte Murray won’t return from his Achilles rehab any time soon.
If New Orleans wants even a slim chance to climb out of this mess, it has to shake up the roster.Â
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Rudy Gobert to the Pelicans: Potential Trade Idea
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Rudy Gobert
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Jordan Poole, 2028 first-round pick
Rudy Gobert Fits What the Pelicans Need
Rudy Gobert still plays elite defense. Even at 33, he uses his length and grasp of coverages to shut down anyone who challenges him at the rim. This season, he’s giving Minnesota 11.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, and finishing nearly 74 percent of his shots.
He’s holding opponents to 36.9 percent inside six feet, which sits near the top of the league. With him on the court, the Timberwolves defend at a 109 rating. Without him, the entire structure slips.
New Orleans could use exactly that kind of anchor. Kevon Looney does his job, but he doesn’t heavily impact games. The Pelicans lack size, rim protection, and control of the defensive glass. Gobert’s instincts would lift their baseline immediately.Â
What Jordan Poole Would Bring to Minnesota
Jordan Poole plays a completely different game. He wants the ball and pushes the pace whenever he can. This season with the Pelicans, he’s giving them about 17 points a night, knocking down roughly three deep balls, attacking off the dribble, and running pick-and-roll or isolation sets with confidence.Â
Minnesota would gain a perimeter scorer who could ease the load on Anthony Edwards and handle some secondary creation. But the trade-off is steep.
In this mock trade, bringing in Poole costs them the defensive anchor who keeps their entire structure intact, and that’s a tough gamble for a 15-8 team trying to stay in the contender lane.
Still, that ability to score points in droves can move the needle in the postseason
Overall Impact
For New Orleans, this can fill some major gaps. The team gains size, toughness, and a sharper defensive edge. Gobert would immediately boost their rebounding and rim protection, two areas they’ve struggled with all season.Â
Minnesota, meanwhile, would lean on Poole’s scoring but sacrifice the defensive backbone that Gobert provides. They’d be gambling on a guard who can heat up in stretches but also comes with inconsistency and a recent quad issue.
If the Pelicans want to stop their early-season slide, a big-time trade is a must. Gobert offers a level of defensive stability they haven’t enjoyed in years.
Minnesota has to decide whether Poole’s scoring punch really makes up for losing the anchor of their interior defense.