NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players the New Orleans Pelicans should trade away

The New Orleans Pelicans are desperate to make the NBA playoffs this season, as the organization is aware that they need to show Anthony Davis that they are a competitive team. It has been heavily reported that Davis could request a trade in the summer, and if the 25-year-old becomes available, he will attract immense interest from teams such as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis has been with the Pelicans since the team drafted him with the first pick of the 2012 NBA draft, and the center has since transformed into one of the most dominant forces in the NBA. The 5-time All-Star is averaging 28.5 points and 13.0 rebounds per game this season, although the Pelicans have once again struggled, making a 16-21 start to the season.

In the next few months, the Pelicans are sure to make a number of big moves in a bid to convince Anthony Davis that the team can compete in the next few years, and this will result in a number of high-profile players being traded away due to the Pelicans' current lack of cap-space. So here are three players that could exit the New Orleans team before the February trade deadline.

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#3 Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor spent spells last season with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, and for the 2017/18 season, Okafor averaged 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game. The Pelicans were impressed by his numbers and this summer opted to sign him on a one-year, $1,567,007 contract, with a team option for the 2019/20 season.

The 23-year-old was expected to add depth to the team, although the presence of Anthony Davis has meant that Okafor has yet to make an impact. The center is currently averaging just 7.7 minutes per game and is recording near career-low figures in both rebounding and scoring. The Pelicans management clearly has no plans for Okafor, and the team should look to move him on this month.

#2 Solomon Hill

Sacramento Kings v New Orleans Pelicans

Solomon Hill is currently embarking on his third season with the Pelicans, although he has yet to become a regular contributor on the offensive end.

The 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he only made 19 appearances due to the need to have surgery to repair a torn hamstring, and so far during the 18/19 season, Hill is averaging just 4.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

The small forward has featured both from the starting five and bench, although he is only playing around 22 minutes each night, and has yet to establish himself as a pivotal part of the Pelicans team.

Hill's contract is also overpriced, as the former Pacers man will earn over $10 million for the next two seasons.

The Pelicans could sign a player on a veteran's minimum deal, who would offer the same impact, and ultimately the team should look to trade him away before the deadline.

#1 Elfrid Payton

Sacramento Kings v New Orleans Pelicans

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Payton with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft, although the player was quickly traded to the Orlando Magic.

The point guard was a regular starter for four years in Orlando, however, the team eventually traded the player to the Suns in return for a 2018 second-round pick.

After a brief spell with the Phoenix Suns, Payton joined the Pelicans over the summer, although he is once again set to become a free-agent in 2019. He has only appeared six times in New Orleans due to injury issues and his time brief time on the court hasn't been great.

He is averaging a career-low 5.3 assists per game, and his total of 9.7 points-per-game is the lowest since his rookie year. Payton is likely to leave in the summer, and the Pelicans should try and get something in return while they still can.