Pelicans’ biggest names may not be their most valuable trade pieces

Zion Williamson remains the Pelicans’ biggest name. That doesn’t necessarily make him their most valuable trade asset.

That’s the argument behind Fran Leiva’s assessment for Fadeaway World, which places young players Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen ahead of Williamson when considering age, contracts, availability and potential return.

The distinction is worth discussing for a team trying to figure out where it’s headed.

The Pelicans are 4-7 after losing three straight, including a 51-point defeat against the Warriors with Williamson resting and Trey Murphy III sidelined by a knee issue. That doesn’t establish what a healthy roster can accomplish, but it certainly doesn’t quiet the questions.

Leiva ranks Williamson sixth among the team’s trade assets despite his efficient scoring start. His concern is familiar. A team acquiring Williamson would have to weigh his considerable offensive ability against his salary and history of missed games.

Queen presents a different calculation. He’s producing on a rookie contract after appearing in 81 games last season. Fears, whom Leiva ranks second, is averaging 15.4 points and 4.9 assists at age 20.

Those are players the Pelicans can keep evaluating without needing an immediate answer about their ceiling.

Herb Jones also figures prominently in Leiva’s discussion. His defensive credentials could appeal to a contender, even with his offense struggling early.

None of this ranking establishes that the Pelicans are shopping those players. It’s an assessment of value, and having a valuable young player can be a good reason to keep him.

For the Pelicans, the harder question is what another transaction would accomplish. Moving an established name might bring flexibility or draft assets. Moving a productive youngster could leave them searching for precisely the kind of player they already had.

They need a clearer direction. Simply making another trade won’t provide one.

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