{"id":50779,"date":"2023-06-14T11:44:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T15:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=50779"},"modified":"2023-06-14T11:44:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T15:44:59","slug":"nba-rumors-the-pelicans-have-their-eyes-on-scoot-henderson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/06\/14\/nba-rumors-the-pelicans-have-their-eyes-on-scoot-henderson\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: The Pelicans Have Their Eyes on Scoot Henderson"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The New Orleans Pelicans currently hold the 14<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> pick in the NBA Draft, but reports say they may be looking to make a splash. The organization wants to move into at least the top three to acquire G-League Ignite guard <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/05\/25\/scoot-henderson-2023-nba-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scoot Henderson<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. After losing in the Play-In Tournament this postseason, it\u2019s clear the Pelicans want a new sense of direction and believe Henderson is their guy. Obviously, to vault into the top three, the compensation package would have to be significant. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NBA Rumor: The Pelicans Have Their Eyes on Scoot Henderson<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Western Conference playoff contender seriously pursuing a top 2-3 pick in this month\u2019s NBA Draft, with eyes on point guard Scoot Henderson: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UFCs9VEU7Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/UFCs9VEU7Q<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1668352475454136338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The second and third picks of the draft are held by the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trailblazers, respectively. Two teams seeming uncertain of how to use their top selections could bode well for New Orleans. With <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/ballla01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LaMelo Ball<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> already on the roster, Charlotte seems to be higher on Alabama\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/brandon-miller-3.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Brandon Miller<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Miller could be a better roster fit, but does that really justify passing up Henderson? <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On the other hand, Portland has many questions surrounding its\u00a0future with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lillada01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Damian Lillard<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Do they use the third pick, getting the best guy on the board to pair with Lillard? Could they package the pick with an established guy on the roster to get another star? What if they just trade Lillard and start over?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With both organizations not knowing what to do, the Pelicans can swoop in and steal one of the top three picks. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 3: Portland Trailblazers<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This pick comes with a little more risk if you\u2019re New Orleans. There\u2019s no uncertainty with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/06\/07\/victor-wembanyama-2023-nba-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\"><strong>Victor Wembanyama<\/strong><\/a> going number one to San Antonio. Charlotte, however, could go with <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">either <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Henderson or Miller. Trading up to three means you would have to be certain Charlotte is going to select Miller so that Henderson falls into your lap. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Potential Trade: <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New Orleans Pelicans receive: No. 3 Pick,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/simonan01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Anfernee Simons<\/strong><\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Portland Trailblazers receive:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/ingrabr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Brandon Ingram<\/strong><\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is a deal that benefits both sides tremendously. New Orleans gets a new, shiny backcourt of Henderson and Simons to pair with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willizi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zion Williamson<\/strong><\/a>. Without Ingram, Williamson can dominate the ball in the halfcourt, and the two guards can play a faster pace together in transition. The Pelicans also get to move off Ingram\u2019s $33 million contract in favor of Simons\u2019 longer, less expensive deal. For Portland, Lillard gets a 6-foot-8 wing scorer to bolster the offense instead of being lined up alongside another guard. The Blazers also still have enough money to polish off the rest of their roster\u00a0by bringing back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grantje01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jerami Grant<\/strong><\/a> or signing someone new like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kristaps Porzingis<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leverca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Caris LeVert<\/strong><\/a>, or others to add more scoring.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While this deal benefits New Orleans, it\u2019s no guarantee they will get to secure Henderson. It is contingent upon what Charlotte does before them, so why not explore getting the Hornets pick?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 2: Charlotte Hornets<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With this pick, New Orleans would be able to secure Henderson without fear of him being off the board by the time they pick. Charlotte does not seem interested in this point to move off the pick, but they could be persuaded if the price is right. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Potential Trade:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New Orleans Pelicans Receive: No.3 Pick, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/haywago01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gordon Hayward<\/strong><\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Charlotte Hornet Receive: Brandon Ingram, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/templga01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Garrett Temple<\/strong><\/a>, No. 14 Pick<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is a trade that could go many different ways. Maybe New Orleans is more likely to give up CJ McCollum than Ingram, or maybe Temple isn\u2019t enough, and they have to give up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/joneshe01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Herbert Jones<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murphtr02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Trey Murphy III<\/strong><\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/daniedy01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dyson Daniels<\/strong><\/a> (or any combination of the three). At the end of the day, Charlotte gets an opportunity to bring in elite wing scoring and a veteran presence in Temple while moving off Hayward\u2019s huge expiring contract. They are also no longer faced with choosing between Henderson and Miller and avoid making the wrong choice. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New Orleans Will Tell Us the Value of Scoot<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A package to acquire Charlotte\u2019s pick is going to be much heftier than one to get Portland\u2019s. It just depends on how much David Griffin and the Pelicans value Scoot Henderson. If they\u2019re willing to sell more to secure him, they\u2019ll deal with Charlotte. If they think Charlotte is going with Miller and are not interested in giving up more assets, they\u2019ll trade with Portland. Lots of speculation will occur between now and draft night on June 22<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, but New Orleans will try to get one of these teams to bite.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The New Orleans Pelicans currently hold the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, but reports say they may be looking to make a splash. The organization wants to move into at least the top three to acquire G-League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson. After losing in the Play-In Tournament this postseason, it\u2019s clear the Pelicans want [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4610,"featured_media":50799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[556,62,33,4721],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba-draft","category-nba","category-pelicans","category-trade-rumors"],"modified_by":"Kevin Nivek","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4610"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50779"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50779\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}