7 Biggest Trades in New Orleans Pelicans History, Ranked

The New Orleans Pelicans have made many moves to give them a better shot of winning games and improve their championship basketball odds at a sportsbook.

The Pelicans have never made good on their short NBA championship odds nor have they ever been to the NBA Finals.

With that said, what are the seven biggest trades in Pelicans history? Let’s find out.

7 Biggest New Orleans Pelicans Trades in Team History

1. Anthony Davis for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Three First-Round Picks

Anthony Davis finished third in MVP voting during the 2017-18 season and helped the Pelicans get to the playoffs twice.

The Brow was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, teaming up with LeBron James to win a championship in 2020.

Brandon Ingram averaged at least 20 points per game in each of his years in New Orleans before getting dealt to the Toronto Raptors in February 2024.

2. Chris Paul and Two Second-Round Picks for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and First-Round Pick

Chris Paul helped revitalize the New Orleans Hornets, helping them win 56 games during the 2007-08 season while finishing second in MVP voting to Kobe Bryant.

Paul was initially dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers to team up with Bryant in December 2011, but that trade was vetoed by the league. Instead, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he formed “Lob City” alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

3. J.R. Smith and P.J. Brown for Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler turned into Paul’s favorite pick-and-roll and lob threat and the defensive anchor for some of the most exciting times in New Orleans franchise history following his trade from the Chicago Bulls in 2006.

Chandler led the NBA in offensive rebounds during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

He was dealt to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor in 2009.

4. Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Gallaway, First-Round Pick and Second-Round Pick for DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi

DeMarcus Cousins was traded from the Sacramento Kings in February 2017 to form a dynamic duo with Davis in New Orleans’ frontcourt.

Cousins initially looked dominant with the Pelicans, but he suffered a torn Achilles injury in his first full season with the club and departed for the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in 2018. 

5. Nerlens Noel and First-Round Pick for Jrue Holiday and Second-Round Pick

Jrue Holiday developed into one of the better point guards in the league following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013.

In addition to his scoring and playmaking, Holiday brought suffocating on-ball defence and leadership, making two All-Defensive teams while in New Orleans. He also earned the Teammate of the Year award in 2020.

6. Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomáš Satoranský, Didi Silva, First-Round Pick, and Two Second-Round Picks for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell

CJ McCollum has been an absolute bucket-getter since coming to New Orleans in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022, helping take a significant amount of scoring pressure off of Zion Williamson and company.

7. Baron Davis for Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis

Baron Davis is most known for his role with the “We Believe” Warriors in 2007, but he put forth many great seasons with the Charlotte and New Orleans Hornets before being dealt to Golden State in February 2005.

Davis finished with MVP votes during the 2003-04 season and helped get the franchise to the playoffs five times.