2 Possible Detroit Pistons trades with the New Orleans Pelicans

Possible Detroit Pistons trade with the New Orleans Pelicans

If the Pelicans wanted to get closer to getting under the luxury tax, they could send out a better player in exchange for Burks.

Daniels was the 8th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and has shown some promise on both ends, so this would be a lot to give up for a half season of Burks unless the Pelicans didn't like Daniels' future fit. This move would save the Pelicans around $1 million, so get them a step closer to getting under the luxury tax.

Daniels is similar to Ausar Thompson in that he's a very athletic player and good defender who can't shoot. The Pelicans already have one of those in Herb Jones who they already have under contract.

Would the Pelicans send Jones instead? If the Pistons took on both Kira Lewis Jr. and Herb Jones, the Pels would get under the tax easily while improving their outside shooting. This is even more unlikely, as Jones is already considered one of the league's best wing defenders and he has improved his long-range shooting to 37.6 percent this season, so Detroit would have to kick in additional assets.

All of this is a long way of saying that a trade for Alec Burks is going to cost the Pelicans either in terms of tax money or players, as they don't have the guys to match up financially without an overpay or getting a third team involved.