NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the New Orleans Pelicans should keep out of trade talks

#1 Julius Randle

New Orleans Pelicans v Brooklyn Nets

After playing just a year of college basketball for Kentucky, Julius Randle declared himself for the 2014 NBA draft. Randle was a highly rated prospect, so it was no surprise when the Los Angles Lakers used their seventh pick on the-then 20-year-old.

Randle suffered a serious injury during his NBA debut, however, the power forward recovered the following campaign, and eventually spent three years as a regular starter for a struggling Lakers team. During the 17/18 season, Randle enjoyed the best season of his career, averaging 16.8 points per game, although the Lakers renounced Randle in the summer, and he subsequently signed with the Pelicans.

Nevertheless, the Lakers loss has been the Pelicans gain, as the 24-year-old is currently averaging 19.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Randle still has plenty of time to grow into an All-Star, and while the player will command considerable trade value, the Pelicans should avoid trading away their second best player.