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NBA insider Will Guillory of The Athletic reported that the New Orleans Pelicans made trade attempts for Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons. Despite their efforts, the Pelicans were unable to find a suitable replacement for the center position. This search was prompted by Jonas Valanciunas having only one year remaining on his contract. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers will not be trading Allen since they are focusing on maintaining their core players: Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley. Additionally, Stewart signed a four-year, $64 million rookie-scale extension with the Pistons.
According to Guillory, the Pelicans have been looking for other options as Valanči coming to the end of his contract. Rumors suggest that they may be considering Jarrett Allen or Isaiah Stewart, but so far, no deals have been made.
Valanciunas, who was acquired by the Pelicans from the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2021, will be earning $15.4 million next season. The veteran player had an impressive season in 2022-23, averaging 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 54.7% from the field, 34.9% from 3-point range, and 82.6% from the charity stripe. He recorded 43 double-doubles in 79 games. Valanciunas signed a two-year extension worth $30.4 million with New Orleans in October 2021 and has averaged 15.9 points and 10.8 rebounds in 153 games with the team.
Last season, the Pelicans only won 42 games and did not make the NBA playoffs as they lost the 9-10 play-in game to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home. Zion Williamson played in just 29 games out of a possible 308 since being drafted as the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Brandon Ingram, a former Los Angeles Lakers forward, also missed many games last season and played in only 45 games. For the Pelicans to qualify for the playoffs next season, it is crucial that Williamson and Ingram remain healthy.
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