The New Orleans Pelicans have as many future traded picks as any team in the NBA outside of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which could put them in position to acquire a star in the future via trade. Such a trade would accelerate the Pelicans' window of contention with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
The timing of a trade, however, could be difficult for David Griffin to decide upon.
“I’ve never really been able to say unequivocally ‘go flip the switch.’ LeBron [James] is the only player in the NBA whose presence alone makes you a Finals contender. So when LeBron came back to Cleveland, it was time to rock and roll,” Griffin said. “I don’t know if I do know when to flip the switch. But I know when not to. I hope that this group grows and develops in the way we anticipate and that it will become fairly obvious when we should cash in some of those chips. In the presence of a sound process, decisions often make themselves. I hope we’re able to bring that to fruition.”
Griffin has made a pair of blockbuster trades in dealing away Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday for future picks and pick swaps.
