The New Orleans Pelicans were involved in trade discussions with the Utah Jazz on a deal for Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, but those players were eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers instead. The Lakers and Pelicans are competing for a spot in the play-in and New Orleans also gets to swap picks if the one belonging to Los Angeles is more favorable.
As part of a three-team trade, the Jazz also traded Mike Conley to the Minnesota Timberwolves with D’Angelo Russell going to the Lakers. That element may have prevented the Pelicans from getting a deal done for Vanderbilt and Beasley.
“The Pelicans were close to getting Beasley and Vanderbilt from Utah at the trade deadline,” said Zach Lowe on his podcast. “Or close-ish. They had a pretty good offer on the table. It was a draft equity based offer with a pick that maybe was not as good as the Lakers’ pick they ended up trading, but pretty close I think from what I’ve heard.
“But one of the issues was Conley and the Jazz’ determination to get off Conley and could the Pelicans figure that somehow? And it became pretty complicated.
“That trade ends up helping the Lakers, helping the Wolves, and the Pelicans don’t get involved in it and now they’re falling apart.”
