Top 3 assets New Orleans Pelicans can use to bolster their squad in the 2021 NBA offseason

#2 No.10 Pick in 2021 Draft

New Orleans picked Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft

There has already been a lot of discussion surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans' lottery pick this year. The franchise earned the 10th selection for the draft on Thursday night but recent reports have suggested they may want to utilize it as part of a trade package to bring in another star alongside Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

The Pelicans already have a plethora of young talent. Jaxson Hayes, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball (though he may get traded) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker surround their top two players and the franchise have an abundance of future draft picks on top of the five they have this week.

So losing their first-round prospect makes sense for a team that wants to return to the playoffs and keep Williamson's camp happy.

#1 Eric Bledsoe

Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans

Offloading Eric Bledsoe's contract is near the top of the agenda for the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason. The veteran guard had a disappointing campaign for the Pels after his move from Milwaukee, with his effectiveness as low as it has been for eight years.

He averaged 12 points per game and 3.8 assists while looking like a shadow of himself on defense.

Bledsoe is due to receive $18m dollars in the upcoming season. Therefore, a likely trade scenario would have to include one of the Pelicans' draft picks, potentially their selection this summer, since no team is going to just take his contract without the deal being sweetened first.

Multiple reliable reports today that the Pelicans have talked with Memphis about trading the 10th pick and Eric Bledsoe for the 17th pick.Can’t help but wonder if the Knicks have/would consider offering the Pels the 19th pick, or maybe a package of the 21st and 32nd picks?
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 25, 2021

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Despite struggling to make it work in New Orleans, Bledsoe can still provide experience and two-way ability, either off the bench or as a starter. He is a two-time All-Defensive player who has averaged 1.4 steals per game throughout his career.

Furthermore, his contract is only partially guaranteed for the 2022-23 season, which could give the franchise additional leverage in moving him.