NBA Notes: Pelicans, Brandon Ingram, Suns, Sixers

Pelicans

Did anyone expect this type of injury-plagued forgettable season for the poor Pelicans? Almost definitely not. Chalk it up to some dumb luck and a whole lotta Zion Williamson unpredictability. Nothing new there.Brandon Imgram, Pelicans, NBA trade rumors

“Nobody could have predicted the injury woes that have befallen the Pelicans, who have used 23 starting lineups and have used only one more than four times,” wrote ESPN’s Kevin Pelton. “With the notable exceptions of Trey Murphy III and rookie Yves Missi, however, even the healthy New Orleans players have performed short of expectations in what has already become a lost season.”

Given all that’s happened, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Pelicans were to be movers and shakers at the NBA trade deadline in two weeks. And they probably should be.

“At this point, a late charge up in the standings might be the worst possible thing for the Pelicans,” Pelton wrote. “They should explore a Brandon Ingram trade and hope to catch some lottery luck.”

Suns

Well, say this much for the Suns — they sure are willing spenders. Sadly for them, it’s meant little.

“The Suns are set to pay a league-high $168 million in luxury tax on top of $216 million in salary and aren’t even certain to reach the postseason,” Pelton wrote. “Phoenix is within reach of sixth in the West, but neither the team’s difficult remaining schedule nor a dismal minus-1.7 point differential suggests such a run is coming.”

Kevin Durant. Devin Booker. Bradley Beal. The trade for Nick Richards. Nothing seems to be saving the Suns. So, how do they fix things?

“Perhaps with Jimmy Butler?” Pelton asked. “Tuesday’s trade with Utah — splitting the Suns’ 2031 first-round pick into three less valuable ones — seems like a precursor for a big deadline move. Perhaps this would be the one that finally works for Phoenix.”

76ers

It’s been an equally surprising season of disappointment for the Sixers so far. And Philadelphia may be a lot more helpless to fix things than Phoenix.

“The Sixers began the season with championship aspirations after adding Paul George to fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey,” Pelton wrote. “Never did we imagine the top-six protection on the first-round pick Philadelphia owes Oklahoma City might matter. With Embiid limited to 13 uneven games, George in a seasonlong slump and supporting players coming up short, the Sixers might spend lottery night hoping they jump up and keep their pick.”

That said, there’s no need to rush into tanking mode. After all, Philly has played its worst and remains in the playoff hunt.

“It’s probably still not worth it for Philadelphia to pivot toward lottery odds,” Pelton wrote. “The 76ers are, somehow, just three games out of the play-in. Finishing 10th would mean hoping to stay healthy for some kind of playoff run.”


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