Deal of the Day: Wizards Parlay Pelicans Picks

Deal of the Day, Salary cap rules may be bent but hopefully not broken.

Today’s Deal: Pels Pick Parlay Party!

We hear you #DealNation. The Deal is tired too.

The Wizards trade the #9 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans for the #13 overall pick, the #39 pick and a 2021 2nd round pick, originally Washington’s.

The Wizards trade #37 and #39 to the Toronto Raptors for #29.

Why do the Pelicans do the deal?

David Griffin has many irons in the fire. Jrue Holiday is unlikely to begin the season with New Orleans. This deal packages some (not nearly all) of their extra second round picks to move up four spots in 2020. Want #60? They’ll toss that in too.

Why do the Raptors do the deal?

The Raps are keeping things fluid. This could be year one of a two-year reset or a keep it steady and clear the books year. With this deal, Masai Ujiri unloads a guaranteed contract by moving back into the unguaranteed money range with picks 37 and 39.

Why do the Wizards do the deal?

As we’ve said for all of these Wizards’ trade down scenarios, the motivating factor is your guy getting drafted ahead of you. In My Most Recent Mock Draft (11/5) scenario Onyeka Okongwu is off the board.

Wizards President Tommy Sheppard has talked about this draft as a possible big swing opportunity and they won’t have to chase need. They don’t expect to return to the lottery so they have an opportunity go get the highest upside he can find. That sounds more like RJ Hampton, Pokusevski, or Jaden McDaniels than it does Aaron Nesmith or Desmond Bane. In this version of events Precious Achiuwa represents both. He’s more raw despite being older, because he picked up the game after arriving in the United States.

We’ll have to wait and see how committed they are to this idea when they’re on the clock.

The front office isn’t interested in more picks in the 30s. So, they find a team willing to move trade back for the unguaranteed contracts that come in the second round. With Admiral Schofield not measuring up to the “he’s a three but plays small ball four role” they envisioned, the Wizards could make another attempt by picking Robert Woodard. Xavier Tillman would be a great get at 29 as well.

And yes you noticed correctly the 2021 second round pick coming to the Wizards in this deal is their own.

Wizards would have #13 (Precious Achiuwa), #29 (Robert Woodard), the MLE and the BAE:

• John Wall - Ish Smith - Shabazz Napier (UFA)
• Bradley Beal - Troy Brown Jr. - Jerome Robinson - Garrison Mathews (RFA)
• __________ - Isaac Bonga - Admiral Schofield
• Rui Hachimura - Davis Bertans (UFA)
• Thomas Bryant - __________ - Moritz Wagner - Anzejs Pasecniks (camp guarantee)

Trade Resources

TradeNBA

ESPN Trade Machine

CBA FAQ

Stathead.com

NBA.com Stats

Want to request a trade target or send a challenge? Email me at Jheiser3@gmail.com and include your Bullets Forever screen name.