Jan 15, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, guard CJ McCollum, guard Dejounte Murray, forward Zion Williamson, center Yves Missi, and forward Herbert Jones watch from the bench during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Pelicans Land $211 Million Star, Top-3 Pick in Blockbuster NBA Draft Trade

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Grant Mona | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 12:35 AM ET

Both the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans had disappointing seasons following a 2024 offseason that was full of promise and hope. The 76ers landed nine-time All-Star Paul George in free agency on a four-year, maximum-salary contract worth nearly $212 million, pairing him with Joel Embiid and creating a "Big Three" with Tyrese Maxey.

The Philadelphia 76ers plan to give Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey another chance next season to compete for a championship, per @TheSteinLine

“By simply staying at No. 3, Philadelphia would introduce an $11.1 million salary onto its books for 2025-26. So the Sixers… pic.twitter.com/Pv50EyE5qd
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 19, 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans were looking to stay healthy after making the playoffs in 2024, leaning on their new acquisition Dejounte Murray to provide a punch next to Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum. Unfortunately for New Orleans, their 2024-2025 campaign was filled with injuries, costing them any chance at making the Play-In Tournament.

CJ McCollum spoke out on the Pelicans' injuries this season following their loss in the play-in game. pic.twitter.com/MGoYKdyJLF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 13, 2023

The 76ers and Pelicans both failed to qualify for the Play-In Tournament, finishing near the bottom of their respective conferences. This raises questions about how they will approach their valuable draft capital. In this proposed trade, the 76ers acquire a defensive specialist and a veteran scorer, while the Pelicans receive a nine-time All-Star and a top-three draft pick.

Pelicans receive: Paul George, 2025 1st-round pick (3rd overall)

76ers receive: CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, 2025 1st-round (7th overall)

The Pelicans would be moving off of one of the best wing defenders in the NBA in Herb Jones and a proven 20-point-per-game scorer in CJ McCollum, but would receive a draft pick that many believe top prospects Ace Bailey or V.J. Edgecombe could be slotted into.

Per @BrettSiegelNBA, Sixers have offered the third pick and multiple other first round picks to move up to 2. Spurs not budging. https://t.co/iG5ntqJEXK https://t.co/tgpBIa6DUc pic.twitter.com/L30DyJpOxt
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) June 19, 2025

For the 76ers, they surround a hypothetically healthy Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with an elite defender that can knock down threes in Jones and a solid combo-guard in McCollum that can either start or run their bench unit.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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