The New Orleans Pelicans may be planning a huge move on NBA Draft Day. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Pelicans are plotting a potential blockbuster trade to move up to target one of the best prospects in the 2023 Draft.
Charania broke the story on his Twitter account in a video published by Stadium.
“The Pelicans are expected to aggressively pursue a top pick, potentially 2 or 3, in this upcoming NBA Draft with their eyes set on Scoot Henderson,” Charania said.
Western Conference playoff contender seriously pursuing a top 2-3 pick in this month’s NBA Draft, with eyes on point guard Scoot Henderson: pic.twitter.com/UFCs9VEU7Q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 12, 2023
While Victor Wembanyama has everyone’s attention at No. 1, ‘Who goes No. 2?’ remains a major question. Henderson and Alabama Crimson Tide star Brandon Miller, as Charania said, are two potential possibilities at No. 2.
The Charlotte Hornets currently own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. So any trade that New Orleans wants to negotiate will have to go through them. If they’re as aggressive as Charania makes them out to be, a blockbuster trade could potentially be in the works.
The Pelicans have their forward situation pretty ironed out, so the fact that they want a guard in Scoot Henderson isn’t surprising. Henderson has scouts raving over his abilities, he just happens to be in the same draft class as Wembanyama.
The NBA world spent the afternoon reacting to this major trade rumor.
The Pelicans are after Scoot Henderson, per Shams. They can offer #14 this year and have a ton of future picks to add with young players on the roster. The Hornets would obviously want a ton. Would the Pelicans be willing to move Brandon Ingram? Or even Zion Williamson? https://t.co/exbx0Cv475
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 12, 2023
Gonna say the quiet part loud: the Pelicans are about to be in tax hell, they know Portland wants a veteran wing for Dame, and going young now gives them an easier pivot if Zion keeps getting hurt. So my guess would be that these are Ingram for No. 3 talks. https://t.co/I2tOCTZgxN
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 12, 2023
Charlotte will probably hear out teams that call for the No. 2 pick, but there have been no indications point towards them wanting to move out of this spot.
As for Portland, I am not sure what New Orleans could offer them other than draft assets for the No. 3 pick. https://t.co/aTGJxEvQA4
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) June 12, 2023
Scoot would be awesome with the Pelicans https://t.co/H9j4QwaZWX
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) June 12, 2023
