New Orleans has no shortage of ball-handlers who are capable of initiating offense between CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, plus the expected return of sensational forward Zion Williamson. Yet as Devonte' Graham slipped out of the Pelicans' postseason rotation, league figures have mentioned the 27-year-old as a potential trade candidate this offseason.
New Orleans is not motivated to part ways with Graham as it was with Eric Bledsoe last summer, sources said. Graham's decline in minutes during the playoffs may have been more a result of injury misfortune than a personnel decision by head coach Willie Green.
But the Pelicans' front office has swung a significant trade in most of the recent major transaction windows, from the trade deadline to the draft and free agency. They will be focused on finding upgrades to their rotation, sources said, with a clear goal of building off this season's surprise postseason appearance.