Buzz is building around the Pacers-Pelicans trade, but there’s a holdup
The The New Orleans Pelicans were a major disappointment this season, currently at 10-36 after a recent home loss to the Detroit Pistons. The continued struggles have led some to believe the Pelicans will be sellers rather than buyers at the upcoming trade deadline, although it remains to be seen how things will play out.
Recently, ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel reported itfor the Indiana Pacers, “sophomore center Yves Missy from New Orleans Pelicans (is) looming as a potential buyout at the deadline – with free agency looming Benedict Maturin potentially going to New Orleans in the process.”
Now, NBA insider Jake Fisher has added more fuel until the “Maturin Pelikani” fire.
“An outline of an incomplete deal that could still make it to the finish line: Various trade constructions have been rumored that would include landing Mission with Indiana and swingman Benedict Maturin going to New Orleans,” Fisher reported on Mark Stein’s Substack.
However, he also pointed to a potential problem with trade talks, as “Indiana is in for a bigger return on the microwave shooter than just Missy.”
In a vacuum, it’s easy to see why both the Pelicans and Pacers would be interested in this potential deal. New Orleans could certainly use some more young talent on the wing, especially if they end up trading one or both of Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones this offseason.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are desperate for some more frontcourt depth after Myles Turner jumped to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency last summer.
Both the Pacers and Pelicans sit at the bottom of their respective conferences and have been decimated by injuries this season. Indiana, of course, is without injured star point guard Tyrese Halliburton, while the Pelicans have had a number of injury problems, including continued concern for Zion Williamson.
Either way, the NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5, so the clock is ticking on whether the two sides are serious about doing something.
2026-01-23 00:00:00
