BREAKING: Pelicans Trade Former First-Round Pick In A Three-Team Deal, Moves Under Luxury Tax

New Orleans trades Kira Lewis, Jr. to Toronto as cost cost-saving measure to get under the luxury cap.

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans have traded guard Kira Lewis, Jr. to the Toronto Raptors as part of a bigger three-team deal. Raptors all-star forward Pascal Siakam heads to Indiana for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks. New Orleans also attached a 2026 second-round pick in the deal for a move that is cost-saving for the team. New Orleans now moves under the luxury tax. The team has never paid in their franchise history.

Lewis, Jr. is a former first-round pick for the Pelicans in the 2020 draft. He appeared in 54 games in his rookie season, averaging 6.4 points and 2.3 assists per game. The team and Lewis, Jr. were hoping for a productive sophomore campaign, but he suffered a torn ACL in December of that season. Lewis, Jr. missed the remainder of the season rehabbing for a potential return.

Nov 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles against the New Orleans Pelicans guard Kira Lewis Jr. (13) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

That return took place last year when he played in 25 games and had career-highs in three-point shooting (45%) and free-throw shooting (86%). With the emergence of Dyson Daniels and continued improvement from Jose Alvarado, Lewis, Jr's playing time was significantly reduced this season. He appeared in just 15 games and did a couple of stints in the G League. 

The move leaves a roster spot open for the Pelicans to use in either the buyout market or before the upcoming trade deadline. New Orleans could also use that spot on forward Matt Ryan, who is sidelined with an elbow injury, but was amongst the team leaders in three-point shooting this season. The Pelicans are currently 24-17 on the season.