The Pelicans have spent plenty of time circling Bennedict Mathurin, but the fit question keeps hanging over that idea. New Orleans needs scoring, sure.
It also needs players who can live without the ball, space the floor and fit around Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray. Mathurin brings buckets and some three-point shooting, but the source of the hesitation is clear: he does not thrive off the ball, and his shooting isn’t strong enough to make that a natural home.
That is why Zach LaVine has emerged as a cleaner target for New Orleans.
LaVine, who is 31, appears to be on shaky ground with the Sacramento Kings. According to Kings Insider James Ham on @ESPN1320, Sacramento does not have a defined role for him, and he could be bought out before the season starts, which would open the door for him to land elsewhere.
Zach LaVine was NOT promised a role with the Kings and could be bought out before the season starts, per @James_HamNBA
“They've been honest with [Zach LaVine] & said; Look, all bets are off if you opt in...We as a franchise have to make a business decision w/ regards to you-&… pic.twitter.com/dlWGZ5KzfR
- Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 30, 2026
If LaVine does hit the market that way, though, New Orleans may not be in the mix. The article points out that a buyout candidate at his age would likely want a shot at winning basketball, which could push him toward teams like the Heat, Raptors and Detroit. That means the Pelicans’ path would probably have to come through a trade.
Financially, they can make that work. Between Jordan Poole’s and Jordan Hawkins’ salaries, New Orleans has the ability to match LaVine’s $48.9 million salary.
The age and price tag are real concerns, especially for a player who averaged 19.2 points and played only 39 games last season. But the case for LaVine is built on fit, not fantasy.
This is not the old version of him that came into every game looking for 20 shots and little else. At this stage, he has shown more willingness to play off the ball and step into a lead-creator role only when needed.
His career 39.1 percent three-point mark matters here, because it gives him the kind of floor-spacing value that works in DHO action and floppy sets.
And there is still the other side of his game. LaVine can handle the ball and create his own shot at an elite level, which gives New Orleans something it does not already have on the perimeter when the offense bogs down. That matters on nights when injuries pile up or when the top options are having a rough one.
Pairing LaVine with Murray as the main distributor and surrounding them with shooters like LaVine and Trey Murphy III would give the Pelicans a much better offensive shape. It would also take some pressure off Murphy III, who would no longer be asked to carry the perimeter scoring load by himself.
In the end, the argument for LaVine is pretty straightforward: he fits the roster, he brings a useful skill set, and he comes with the kind of professional presence that helps a locker room. The issue is urgency. If Joe Dumars wants him, the article makes clear that New Orleans will need to move quickly and put an offer in front of Scott Perry and the Kings.
In Other News...
Trey Murphy III Would Take A Massive Warriors Offer To Move
Trey Murphy III keeps showing up in league-wide trade chatter because he fits so many team-building boxes at once: wing size, shooting, and enough upside to matter to a contender or a reset-minded club. In this case, the conversation has centered on Golden State, where the Warriors are still trying to support Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with more reliable help around the edges, and Murphys profile makes him an easy name to circle.
For New Orleans, the appeal is obvious too. If the Warriors truly put together a serious package built around Brandin Podziemski, future first-round picks and perhaps Kristaps Porzingis, the Pelicans would at least have to listen. It is the kind of speculative deal that says as much about Murphys value as it does about how aggressively Golden State might be willing to chase one more high-end piece. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Still Have A Real Shot At Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine has remained on the Pelicans radar as New Orleans continues to look for ways to better match its roster to its needs. The latest wrinkle is that Sacramento does not appear ready to buy him out, instead planning to work him into the lineup, which changes the timeline but not necessarily the overall possibility of a move.
For New Orleans, that could actually be a useful development. If LaVine is going to stay put for now, the Pelicans may have a longer runway to assess the market, monitor how things unfold in Sacramento and keep positioning themselves for a trade if he becomes available later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Just Added Pressure To Their Final Roster Battle
The Pelicans are adding another name to the mix as training-camp roster decisions loom, planning to sign free agent Caleb Houstan to a one-year deal. The 6-foot-8 small forward, drafted in 2022, has spent time with Orlando and Atlanta and arrives with the kind of skill set that can keep a team interested in September: size on the wing and a reputation as a three-point shooter.
Houstan also gets a reunion with coach Jamahl Mosley, who previously coached him in Orlando before joining New Orleans. The fit is straightforward enough, but the timing matters more, because the Pelicans are still sorting out one of their last standard roster openings and every added body raises the stakes for the players fighting to stick. [Read more 🡒]