EDIT: Oh how wrong I was...
Coming off the draft, here is my updated idea on the best case scenario for the remainder of this offseason.
TL;DR
Trade Ingram, Dyson, Nance, & picks for Trae Young
Trade Liddell and two UFRPs for Walker Kessler
Try to bring back Naji at less than the MLE
Let Zion cook
Details and depth chart below!
Detailed Explanation
Why it works
1. BI & Zion split up
This duo has run its course. I love BI and wish him the best but he just doesn't fit with the current team. In Willie Green's system, he is relegated to being Evan Turner. I think that if anybody can make BI fit into a system, it is Nick Nurse. Being placed next to an MVP and another all-star will allow him to play into his strengths and alleviate some of the pressure on his co-stars. On the other side, Zion will get some more spacing in the starting lineup and no longer will he be forced to sit in the corner while BI isolates.
2. Getting your long-term co-star
Trae Young is a top 2 playmaker in the NBA. He and Zion can be an incredible pairing and with the recent news that Trae would welcome being dealt to NOLA, it would be malpractice on David Griffin's part not to make it happen. His shooting, gravity, and creation ability make him a fantastic star to plug in next to Zion. Trae will be able to take on more of an off-ball role and pick his spots at a level he has never had the opportunity to before. Trae's presence will also serve to help the rest of roster out as well. Having an elite playmaker will mean that New Orleans' wings will get many more opportunities and way more space. TM3, Hawk, and Herb can all become their best versions next to Trae & Zion. Finally, New Orleans recent draft pick: Yves Missi. He is maybe the one who can be most helped by Young's presence. Missi can become a center in mold of Clint Capela, but even more athletic. Trae can accelerate his development quicker than anybody else.
3. A cheap center to lock down the paint
It sounds like Walker Kessler is on the outs in Utah. His youth, rebounding, and defense is exactly what New Orleans needs to fit next to the rest of their core. All he needs to do is block shots, run, and dunk. As the 5th starter he will have a minor role and just as with Missi, Trae Young can make him great in the pick and roll. With TM3 and Zion become plus defenders at the end of last season, coupled with an elite rim protector, and the best perimeter defender in the NBA, that defense may be one of the best in the league. The vertical spacing that Kessler can provide will also help out the offense with another dimension that New Orleans hasn't had since AD left.
4. Herb & TM3 take the full-time wing jobs
The Pelicans two young wings have been the topic of much discussion this summer. Can Trey Murphy III take a leap to be an all-star level player? Can he become more of a primary shot creator? Or is he stuck at his current state? No matter what, TM3 is a guy who is perfect next to Zion. A huge, lengthy wing who can play defense and has logo range, coupled with elite athleticism and driving skill is the ideal archetype for every NBA team, especially one who's star is is not a 3-point threat. If Murphy remains at his current state and doesn't improve much, he will still be an incredible player to have on the wing with Trae & Zion. On the other wing, Herb Jones only continues to improve on both ends of the court. He shot 41.8% on threes this past season, including 47.9% (!) from the corner. Now, Herb will never be a shot creator who can get his own look, but as secondary or even tertiary threat, he can be elite. He has grown into an ability to initiate offensive actions next to CJ, BI, Zion, and TM3 last season and his IQ, size, and athleticism makes him a great cutting threat. On the other end, his all-defensive first team status says more than anything else can. He has basically singe handedly led New Orleans to be a top 6 defense two years in a row, and that is without any form of rim protector. Giving Herb & TM3 the reigns on the wings is best for this franchise in the long run and there shouldn't be a scenario where this doesn't transpire.
5. The Bench gets an upgrade
With Trae Young being inserted into the starting PG spot, there are no prizes to guessing who the odd man out it. CJ McCollum is the victim of far too much hate in the Pels community. He is an elite shooter who does it on volume and at an all-world percentage. Most importantly, his leadership has brought out the best in Zion, Herb, and TM3 and developed the entire organization around him. Now, that being said, there is no question that he should - under no circumstances - be starting on the team next year in this scenario. It isn't all bad for CJ though. Moving to the bench, he will be able to pick his spots more than the past few seasons and do what he is best at, getting buckets in short spurts and being a long-range sniper. Naji Marshall comes back to the Pelicans in this scenario and becomes the 7th man behind CJ. New Orleans will have to go into the tax to get him, but it's worth it if you can retain his hustle, defense, and improved shooting stroke. Jordan Hawkins will see some more run next year with Dyson and BI gone and not taking any wing minutes and can hopefully be a bit more consistent. Matt Ryan will also get some more opportunity and provide some more shooting at the forward spots. Draftees Yves Missi and Antonio Reeves can develop behind the main guys and get some minutes here and there. Finally, Jose Alvarado can remain on the bench as injury insurance and will be ready if a spark plug is necessary. I'd be happy to put that bench up against any other out there.
6. Future Plans
Trey Murphy will be getting paid huge this summer. Having your core 5 of Trae, Herb, TM3, Zion, and Kessler locked down for the long-term will mean that money will grow to be tight. While I think that CJ still has a place on this team coming into next season even with Trae, it is hard to imagine a world where CJ & TM3 are both on the Pels come 2025-26 when Murphy's extension kicks in. As a result it's likely no matter what that McCollum gets sent off elsewhere this time next year, whether its to a team renting cap space, or a contender looking for some scoring and shooting punch at the guard spot. From there, Reeves or Alvarado, along with Hawkins would become the backup backcourt and one would hope that they can provide enough offence to make up for CJ's departure. If Missi can develop into a serviceable backup big, New Orleans will have a strong 8-10 man rotation for years to come.
The other sides
Here's why I think this deal works for the three other teams involved.
Jazz
Utah picks up 2 UFRPs for a guy who they are looking to move. Pretty simple, Danny Ainge gets some more picks to take a swing with later on.
Hawks
The Hawks commit to youth and get a draft pick haul for Trae. A pretty good return of 5 picks, a swap and a solid young player in Dyson who can grow with their core of JJ and Zach. Notably, they pick up next years Lakers pick in a stacked draft. There isn't a scenario I can imagine where a Trae Young-led Hawks team can take on Boston, New York, or the rest of the top of the East. Picking up a haul of assets will put them into the best possible position for their long-term future.
Lineup:
PG. Dejounte Murray / Vit Krejci
SG. Bogdan Bogdanovic / Kobe Bufkin
SF. Zaccharie Risacher / Saddiq Bey / Nikola Djurisic
PF. Jalen Johnson / De'Andre Hunter
C. Onyeka Okongwu / Clint Capela
76ers
Philly gets their wing to pair with Maxey and Embiid for a price of 3 UFRPs. Ingram extends for another 4 years through 2029. Philadelphia gets a legit big 3 who can take on Boston and New York in basketball's best division. They can also trade away Bball Paul to open up some more salary and give some run to Adem Bona if they want to. The rest of the team will largely be decided through free agency, if Philly can bring back Oubre, Melton, Batum and Lowry, they can have a scary playoff rotation. The numbers for those signings can work with Lowry and Batum at the minimum, Oubre on 4/45, Melton on 4/56, as well as resigning Maxey on the max and Ingram on a little less than his max.
Lineup:
PG. Tyrese Maxey / Jared McCain
SG. De'Anthony Melton / Kyle Lowry
SF. Kelly Oubre Jr. / Ricky Council IV
PF. Brandon Ingram / Nicolas Batum
C. Joel Embiid / Paul Reed / Adem Bona
Pelicans Depth Chart
PG. Trae Young / CJ McCollum / Jose Alvarado
SG. Herb Jones / Jordan Hawkins / Antonio Reeves
SF. Trey Murphy III / Naji Marshall / Malcolm Hill
PF. Zion Williamson / Matt Ryan / Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
C. Walker Kessler / Yves Missi / Karlo Matkovic
Let's hope David Griffin grows a pair, takes a shot, ships his assets out and - as much as I think the phrase is overused - goes ALL-IN. Gayle Benson pays the tax and New Orleans capitalizes on a wide open Western Conference.