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Bobby Marks Makes New Orleans Pelicans Promise Before Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Jan 31, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline is less than a week away and one team that is expected to be very active ahead of it is the New Orleans Pelicans.

This season has not been the one the Pelicans had hoped for. After acquiring Dejounte Murray in the offseason, New Orleans expected to be a championship contender, but they have instead seen their roster decimated by injuries, which has led to them being one of the worst teams in the NBA.

They currently sit 14th in the Western Conference standings with a 12-36 record. Because of this, their season is basically already over and they will now look forward to next season and of course the 2025 NBA Draft.

With the Pelicans now focusing on the future, it is likely that they could sell off a ton of their roster ahead of the trade deadline. Brandon Ingram has been the main Pelicans’ player in trade rumors due to him being an unrestricted free agent after the season, but they also may elect to trade away C.J. McCollum and possibly even Zion Williamson.

Of course, the Pelicans have yet to make a trade, but an NBA insider recently inferred that they will be making moves ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks appeared on NBA Today on Thursday and made a bold promise about the Pelicans.

I would certainly circle Ingram… certainly he’s on the market right now… I will say this, New Orleans’ 100% is gonna make a trade,” Marks said. “They’re going to get under the luxury tax. They’re $1.4 million above it.”

This is a bold promise by Marks, but with the Pelicans looking to shed salary and add more future assets, it is likely to happen. As Marks said, New Orleans is looking to get under the luxury tax and they could do so by making one small move or multiple big moves.

Of course, Ingram is expected to be the one star that they trade, but do not be surprised if the Pelicans end up having a fire sale ahead of the trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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