The New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as severe suitors for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, in line with a brand new report from NBA insider Jake Fischer (h/t Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson). The event indicators a serious shift for a franchise coming off a dismal 26-56 season that left it eleventh within the Western Convention and out of the playoffs fully.
Brown, 29, averaged 28.7 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per recreation final season whereas earning All-NBA Second Team honors and ending sixth in MVP voting. He’s coming into the third 12 months of a five-year, $285 million contract and brings confirmed playoff expertise as a former Finals MVP.
Pelicans sources describe an unusually aggressive front-office stance heading into the offseason. Practically each established participant is accessible besides two younger cornerstones the group views as long-term pillars.
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears and middle Derik Queen are the one untouchables. Each earned spots on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after robust debut campaigns. Fears averaged 14.3 factors and three.4 assists in 82 video games, whereas Queen posted 11.7 factors and seven.1 rebounds throughout 81 contests.
The standing of franchise ahead Zion Williamson is extra fluid. The 25-year-old averaged 21.0 factors and 5.7 rebounds in 62 video games final season. Crew sources indicated the Pelicans favor to maintain him however “aren’t married to him if they’ll offload him” in the correct deal.
Any bundle for Brown would doubtless revolve round guard Dejounte Murray, ahead Trey Murphy III, and vital draft capital. Murray appeared in solely 14 video games final season, averaging 16.7 factors and 6.4 assists. Murphy emerged as a main scorer, posting 21.5 factors per recreation on 47.0% taking pictures throughout 66 begins.
Such a swap would dramatically reshape each rosters. New Orleans would acquire a high-usage, two-way wing with deep playoff expertise to anchor its perimeter assault. Boston would obtain Murray’s defensive versatility and playmaking plus Murphy’s elite floor-spacing to assist restock after shedding a core piece.
The Pelicans are additionally exploring secondary strikes to create wage flexibility. Expiring contracts belonging to Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins, and Kevon Looney are seen as helpful matching items. Poole averaged 13.4 factors in 39 video games, Hawkins shot 34.8% from three in a reserve position, and Looney supplied rebounding in restricted minutes.
With the 2026 draft and free company looming, New Orleans seems decided to both land a confirmed star like Brown or totally decide to its younger core of Fears and Queen. Both path marks a transparent break from the roster that completed close to the underside of the West standings.
