New Orleans Pelicans · 14 updates
Stephen Curry remains eligible for a two-year, $137 million extension but has made no move, with Golden State content to wait as he weighs a max deal, a discount, or holding off until next summer.
+3The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto is expected to close soon now that the league's cap-circumvention probe has ended with a $700K fine and no suspension for Leonard. Under the original terms, the Clippers would get Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks and other assets back.
Bennedict Mathurin remains a restricted free agent because the Clippers haven't pulled their qualifying offer, according to Jake Fischer.
Six Pelicans could be moved after a 26-56 season, among them Herb Jones ($14.9M), Saddiq Bey ($6.6M) and DeAndre Jordan ($3.9M). New Orleans should cash in on veterans and build around players under 25.
Two free agents are off the board: Jonathan Kuminga is joining the Timberwolves and Bennedict Mathurin is going to the Pelicans. Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones broke down both fits on Yahoo's Dunker Spot podcast, including the shortcomings each move leaves behind. No terms were given.
One trade idea has New Orleans sending Zion Williamson and Yves Missi to the Knicks for Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, a 2027 second-rounder via Washington and a 2033 first. The pitch is framed as a fallback if the Pelicans start next season badly, with New York getting off salary and away from the second apron.
+2Svyatoslav Rovenchuk at LakeShowLife, in a trade idea picked up by Heavy, has Los Angeles acquiring Herb Jones and Jordan Hawkins in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero and a 2031 Wizards second-round pick.
Golden State's pursuit of Trey Murphy is cast as more realistic now that New Orleans is working to add Bennedict Mathurin, which would squeeze the Pelicans' wing minutes alongside Herb Jones and Jordan Poole.
New Orleans has finalized a trade sending Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to Memphis, along with a future second-round pick and a pick swap, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Grizzlies send back AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson.
Bennedict Mathurin's two-year, $16 million deal with New Orleans is now on the league's official transaction log, per NBA.com. It includes a player option for the second season.
