The Pelicans’ recent surge has at least put them in a position to think bigger.
After a rough opening to the 2026-27 season, New Orleans has strung together four straight wins and climbed back to .500 at 4-4. Jamahl Mosley, in his first year on the bench, looks like he may have found a workable formula for a roster that has talent but hasn’t always fit together cleanly.
That kind of early stability can open the door to a consolidation move, and one name already floating around is Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. With Sacramento headed toward what looks like another losing season, Sabonis should be back on the trade market.
On the latest episode of the Clutch Scoops show, Siegel pointed to the Pelicans as a possible fit because of the kind of contracts and assets they can send out.
“The Pelicans, for example, they have the salaries and type of players that the Kings would want where you could give up a Jordan Poole, a $34 million expiring salary. Maybe you can give up a future first-round pick and unload someone else. Maybe it's a three-way or a four-way deal where you can give up Dejounte Murray in that case,” Siegel said on the latest episode of the Clutch Scoops show.
“There's a lot of room for the Pelicans here to either go after Sabonis or another big man on the market.”
Still, the basketball fit is far from obvious. Zion Williamson is locked in as the starter at power forward, and New Orleans already needs size and rim protection at center. That’s why the Pelicans opened the season with Yves Missi as their starting five, and why Karlo Matkovic - described as a floor-spacing shot-blocker - has been asked to start with Missi out injured.
There’s also the question of what a Sabonis deal would mean for Derik Queen, whom the Pelicans used a valuable first-round pick to land in the 2025 NBA Draft. Bringing in Sabonis could crowd that path.
Latest trade rumors/intel: Warriors, Thunder | Clutch Scoops with @TomerAzarly & @BrettSiegelNBA https://t.co/vjgWFuHgEd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 5, 2026
If New Orleans does make a move, the cleaner route may be elsewhere, possibly with Murray as part of the discussion so the team can hand the point guard job fully to Jeremiah Fears.
In Other News...
Herb Jones Just Became A Pelicans Deadline Story To Watch
The Pelicans have made it clear they are protecting a core group in trade discussions, but Herb Jones has quietly become the name to watch as the deadline approaches. New Orleans says it wants to keep the versatile wing, yet his status has not been treated the same way as the four players the team has labeled untouchable, which is enough to keep rival front offices calling and the rumor mill moving.
Jones has long been one of the more valuable pieces on the roster because of what he brings on both ends, and that is exactly why his name keeps surfacing in speculation. Several teams have been linked as possible landing spots, including the Warriors, Lakers and Thunder, and even if the Pelicans prefer to hold onto him, the fact that they have been open to hearing offers makes this one of the more interesting situations to track before February. [Read more 🡒]
Trey Murphy III Carries Big Weight In Pelicans Shot To Build Momentum
Trey Murphy III is expected to be available when the Pelicans host Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET, a useful sign for a New Orleans team trying to steady itself in the middle of the Western Conference race. Murphy is listed as probable, and his presence matters even more with the Pelicans dealing with a mix of injury statuses elsewhere on the roster as they look for a clean performance at home.
Minnesota comes in shorthanded as well, which adds another layer to a game that already carries some early-season weight for both clubs. The Pelicans have a chance to use this matchup to build momentum, but they will need their wing scoring and spacing to show up if they want to take advantage of a Timberwolves team missing key pieces and keep climbing in a crowded conference. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Win Added Fuel To A Growing Jordan Poole Question
The Pelicans overtime win over Utah did more than get them back to .500. It also added another layer to an already delicate situation around Jordan Poole, whose place in the rotation has become harder to read as New Orleans tries to steady itself early in the season. Dejounte Murray carried a heavy load in the victory, logging 44 minutes and scoring 20 points, while the team found enough late to pull out a result it badly needed.
Pooles status has become a talking point because his role has been shrinking even as he works his way back from injury. He was unavailable by coachs decision against the Jazz, and the broader backdrop is only making the conversation louder, with reports suggesting he has been open to opportunities elsewhere. For a Pelicans team trying to build momentum, the bigger question now is whether this is just a short-term lineup wrinkle or the start of something more complicated. [Read more 🡒]