What if the Pelicans package the #4 pick to acquire an aging all-star on a bad deal but also acquire future 1st in the process?
Houston trades:
Chris Paul
Clint Capela
2020, 2022 & 2024 unprotected 1st round picks
New Orleans trades:
Lonzo Ball
Jrue Holliday
2019 #4 pick
Houston gains a starting guard more suited to Harden’s style of play in Holliday. He’s a better defender than CP3 and has proven to elevate his game in the playoffs. Lonzo becomes an instant contender for 6th man of the year where he would be the only true point guard in the current rotation. The #4 pick becomes most likely Cam Reddish or RJ Barrett if he falls as they would like to get a talented young wing with 4 years locked to the roster to match the twilight of Harden’s prime.
CP3 returns to New Orleans to lead Zion, Ingram and the rest of the roster. Capela would pair nicely with Zion as they need a big body center to defend Embiid, Jokic and other huge guys like them. CP3, Zion & Capela is very similar to CP3, Blake & DeAndre on the Clippers. If Zion lives up to the hype he could be better than Blake, which in turn could make the Pelicans better than the Clippers ever were if they can get some more shooters on the roster. They also gain three unprotected future 1st round picks from Houston as compensation for the potential of Lonzo, receiving a player like Jrue to replace CP3 as well as the #4 pick. The Pels can use those to make more trades or maintain a steady amount of roster controlled prospects. Griffin would most likely want to trade back into the 1st of Thursday’s draft to acquire a guard as they would be competing for a playoff spot with CP3 on the roster.