NBA Rumors: 3 bold predictions for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 NBA off-season

#2 The Pels trade Eric Bledsoe and can try to retain Lonzo Ball

Eric Bledsoe #6 of the New Orleans Pelicans

Eric Bledsoe joined the New Orleans Pelicans after the franchise traded Jrue Holiday to eventual 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. But the 31-year-old guard endured a difficult season with the Pels.

Bledsoe averaged 12.2 points per game last year, his lowest average since the 2013-14 campaign. He also had the lowest field-goal percentage (42.1%) since his sophomore year in the NBA, with his free-throw shooting also suffering a similar fate.

On the other side of the court, Bledsoe had the worst Defensive Rating of his career, at 116. Trading Bledsoe would be sensible from a basketball standpoint, and also with respect to financial terms. Without him in the picture, the New Orleans Pelicans could try to retain both Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.

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#1 The New Orleans Pelicans could entertain trading Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram

The New Orleans Pelicans simply struggled in the 2020-21 NBA season, even with Brandon Ingram (an All-Star in 2020) and Zion Williamson (an All-Star in 2021) playing well alongside each other.

Whether it was all about the defensive end or a case of the team not having chemistry on the basketball court, the Pels did not work well collectively. Ingram was not responsible for the team's struggles though, as he did a good job. His value is quite high at the moment and the New Orleans Pelicans could land a superstar like Damian Lillard if Ingram is included in the trade package.

I made the case for why the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans are the two best possible trade destinations for Damian Lillard.Meanwhile, @MikeDSykes argued for the Celtics and Warriors. @bycharlescurtis took the Sixers and the Heat.https://t.co/ENJVlsb2Sh

— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) July 16, 2021

Of course, keeping Brandon Ingram would not be a bad thing for the New Orleans Pelicans, as he boasts tremendous potential and had an efficient year on offense again. Ingram averaged 23.8 points and essentially five assists and five rebounds per game last year, with 46/38/87 shooting splits.

The 23-year-old's value is definitely high right now, and putting him in a trade package for any unhappy superstar in today's NBA would certainly be great for the receiving team.

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