## [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/no/new-orleans-pelicans)
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*Recent transaction: Traded* [*Kira Lewis Jr*](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395698/kira-lewis-jr)*. and a second-round pick (lesser of New Orleans and Chicago) to Indiana for cash.*
**Trade meter:** 5
**What to watch:** Open roster spots and [Jonas Valanciunas](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6477/jonas-valanciunas)
The Lewis trade relieves a financial burden the Pelicans were facing at the deadline.
New Orleans was projected to pay the tax for the first time in franchise history. Doing so would have seen the Pelicans lose out on a $14 million tax distribution from the NBA.
The trade also opened up an extra roster spot and gave New Orleans a $5.7 million trade exception.
As for the roster, New Orleans has to take a long-term approach when it comes to center Jonas Valanciunas. The 31-year-old has started every game this season (he has missed nine games since 2021-22), averaging 14 points and 9.6 rebounds. Valanciunas is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, and because the Pelicans are over the cap, they would have only the $12.9 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception to replace. The center position is projected as the weakest among free agents this summer.
The Pelicans do have one of the deeper rosters in the NBA and can stay conservative (outside of staying under the tax) at the deadline, waiting until the offseason to address the futures of Valanciunas and [Naji Marshall](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278594/naji-marshall).
**Front office trade history:** In his time with the Pelicans, David Griffin has made 15 trades but only four during the regular season. Last February, New Orleans acquired [Josh Richardson](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2581190/josh-richardson), and the year before it added [CJ McCollum](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2490149/cj-mccollum) and [Larry Nance Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2580365/larry-nance-jr).
**Last regular-season trade:** Besides the recent trade with Indiana, New Orleans traded four second-round picks and [Devonte’ Graham](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3133601/devonte-graham) to San Antonio for Richardson.
**Trade we would like to see:** Valanciunas, [Dyson Daniels](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4869342/dyson-daniels) and 2025 New Orleans first (top-eight protected) for [Jarrett Allen](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066328/jarrett-allen).
**Trade exceptions:** $5.7 million
**Cash available:** $7.0 million (out) | $6.9 million (receive)
**Salary info and restrictions**
* New Orleans is $2.8 million below the luxury tax.
* The Pelicans have two open roster spots.
* Valanciunas and [Brandon Ingram](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3913176/brandon-ingram) have 15% trade bonuses. As of Feb. 8, Ingram’s bonus is $7.4 million and Valanciunas’ is $892K.
**Draft assets**
* New Orleans owns all its first-round picks in the next seven years.
* The Pelicans have an unprotected first from the Lakers in 2024. That pick can be deferred to 2025.
* The Pelicans also have a first from Milwaukee in 2025 (if 1-4) and an unprotected first in 2027.
* They have the right to swap firsts with the Bucks in 2024 and 2026.
* New Orleans has one second-round pick available to trade.
* Draft rights: [Karlo Matkovic](https://espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4997538/karlo-matkovic)
by kingralek
4 Comments
Some people may not agree, maybe a lot of people won’t agree. But Jonas should not be traded. Bro is one of the only consistent players. Double double almost every game. Plays every game, doesn’t complain.
I can’t imagine Cleveland making that trade right now. I also am not sold on it. JV has been really solid for us and had carried a couple wins this season.
Useless
I thought we could resign Jonas to a much bigger contact because we have his bird rights?