Report: Pelicans 1 of 4 teams linked to potential Jaylen Brown trade

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Earlier this week, sources around the NBA reported that the Pelicans will be a team to watch on the active trade market.

READ MORE Pelicans open to trades with two players considered untouchable, reports say

Now, they’ve been linked to the name of a five-time All-Star.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Pelicans have emerged as one of four teams interested in potentially trading for Boston star small forward Jaylen Brown.

“The Pelicans have been mentioned by various league executives with Jaylen Brown interest, as well,” Fischer said while speaking on Bleacher Report’s live show on Tuesday (June 2).

Other teams expressing interest in Brown are the Rockets, Hawks, and Trail Blazers, according to Fischer.

In previous reports regarding the Pelicans being open to trades, sources say the team is willing to participate in talks for any player on their roster except for incoming second-year players Jereimah Fears and Derik Queen.

Trey Murphy III is widely regarded as the Pelicans’ most attractive asset in a potential trade. On Wednesday’s episode of Locked on Pelicans, which airs Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network, host Jake Madison said any potential Pelicans trade that brings a return of the deal’s best player would be in their best interest. Madison says that the moves the Pelicans have made under executive Joe Dumars so far reflect a “win-now” approach. A deal to acquire a star makes more sense than a slow rebuild that could stretch into multiple seasons.

“For a Pelicans team that wants to make their name on defense, and needs that kind of leader on this team, that is Jalen Brown,” Madison said. “Look, Jalen Brown is better than Trey Murphy III. To me, it’s as simple as that. Now, Jalen Brown is 29. Trey Murphy III is not. The ages factor into this here. Jalen Brown’s contract is massive, too. But Jalen Brown is about as good as it gets in the NBA and is still in his prime.

The framework for such a deal would likely also include the Pelicans sending out the contracts of either Jordan Poole or Dejounte Murray, along with future picks.

Murray, 25, has long been the best complement for Zion Williamson on the court with his ability to shoot from deep. Any potential departure of Murray would likely make the Pelicans a much weaker team, unless they can land a former MVP candidate in return.

Brown is a five-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, NBA Champion, and Finals MVP. This season, he averages 28.7 points, 5.1 assists, 7 rebounds, and one steal per game. As one of the league’s premier defenders, he’s the type of two-way player that could set the tone under new head coach Jamahl Mosley.

For more on what a potential Brown deal, and other trade scenarios might look like, tune into Locked on Pelicans Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.

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