NBA Rumors: Pelicans Put 3 Players On Trade Block

The New Orleans Pelicans, proving themselves to be a true contender in the West when healthy, are working the phones, hoping to bring in some more frontcourt scoring before the trade deadline. And according to a report by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports on Friday, they've got three trade assets which they're shopping around the league.

The Pelicans have discussed Jaxson Hayes, Naji Marshall and Devonte’ Graham in preliminary conversations around the league, sources said. Hayes will become a restricted free agent this offseason. Graham still has two years at over $12 million for each season remaining on his contract.

The 6'11" Hayes, who has been in and out of the rotation this season (mostly out, though with some minutes of late), becomes a restricted free agent at season's end. This is his fourth year in the NBA (all with New Orleans) since the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the No. 8 pick overall in the 2019 Draft. 

He's averaging 5.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in about 14 minutes per game, in the 28 contests that he's gotten into.

Marshall is a 3rd-year player who's been a more significant contributor, scoring 10.4 points per game with 3.8 rebounds in about 25 minutes per contest. 

Graham, 27, has seen his role and his production drop precipitously this season. He's slipped behind Jose Alvarado as the backup point guard, getting into just 15 minutes per game while averaging just 5.1 points. He'd averaged nearly 15 points per game in his three previous seasons. But the arrival of CJ McCollum at last year's trade deadline, and the emergence of Alvarado has sealed his fate in The Big Easy.

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