Pelicans Scoop

Pelicans Shopping Former First-Round Pick?

Reports say the New Orleans Pelicans are shopping their 2020 first-round pick.

Terry Kimble

Pelicans Shopping Former First-Round Pick?
Pelicans Shopping Former First-Round Pick? /
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New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Pelicans guard Kira Lewis could be on the trading block, according to senior NBA writer Jake Fischer.  The speedy guard, faces an uphill battle getting playing time with a guard-heavy roster including CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels, Dereon Seabron (two-way contract), Josh Richardson, and rookie first-round pick Jordan Hawkins.. 

Lewis has a 4-year, $17.18M contract with the New Orleans, averaging $4.297M.  In the upcoming 2023-24 season, he projects to earn a base salary of $5.7M with a cap hit of $5.72M.  The Pelicans exercised team options on Lewis in 2021 and 2022.  

Kira Lewis, Jr.
Mar 23, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Kira Lewis Jr. (13) dribbles against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Following becoming the 13th overall pick in 2020, Lewis has played for two head coaches and suffered a season-ending ACL injury, averaging 5.8 points and 1.9 assists per game.  Last season, the Alabama product played 25 games for New Orleans. 

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, New Orleans falls $2.8 million below the luxury tax.  As the NBA free agency period begins Friday, several NBA executives believe the Pelicans could make 'major moves' this offseason. Trading Lewis won't move the needle significantly.  Still, it will free the necessary cap for New Orleans to acquire new talent or keep role players like Naji Marshall, Willy Hernangomez, and Garrett Temple.  

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Terry Kimble
TERRY KIMBLE

Pelicans Scoop Writer

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