The 2026 NBA Draft wasn’t nearly as eventful of an evening for the New Orleans Pelicans as the 2025 NBA Draft was. Entering the night, many Pelicans fans expected a major shakeup, with New Orleans reportedly desperate to enter the lottery and open to offers for Trey Murphy III. However, nothing happened, and New Orleans left the night with the same roster and assets they entered with as they prepare to make a selection today at No. 58.
Among the many storylines of this year's first round, none stand out more for the Pelicans than what the Milwaukee Bucks decided to do with their two top-13 selections. At No. 10, the Bucks took Arizona guard Brayden Burries, and at No. 13 they selected Tennessee forward Nate Ament, who had previously been linked to New Orleans. While I was a fan of these two selections for the Bucks as they enter a new post-Giannis era, it got me thinking about the rest of their roster going forward, specifically Tyler Herro.
Although Herro is now going to play for the team he grew up cheering for, the Bucks have a very crowded backcourt after selecting Burries at No. 10. Between Kasparas Jakucionis, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green, Herro, and now Burries, the Bucks have six guards that will need playing time next season.
Out of this bunch, it’s safe to say that Rollins, Jakucionis, Burries, and likely Green are safe given their ages and contracts. With the Pelicans owning the Bucks' pick next year, could they look to leverage it to acquire Herro in the coming days? I believe so.
Herro may be the odd man out in Milwaukee, but the perfect guy for New Orleans
Although Herro appears to be really happy to be going home to Milwaukee, posting “414” on X, which is the area code for Milwaukee, the Bucks may have other plans. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported the Bucks are expected to take calls on Herro, and since the Giannis trade isn't finalized until July 6th, it could be expanded upon.
If the Bucks are looking to move Herro as they focus on their rebuild, getting their pick back next season would be a very tempting option. Now, given that Herro is coming off an injury-riddled down season, Milwaukee likely wouldn’t be able to trade him for Jordan Poole and their pick back and may have to include a sweetener. Could that player be Kel’el Ware? Potentially yes. With Joe Dumars preaching that he feels this team isn’t far off from competing and the Pelicans not trading Trey Murphy III during round one of the draft, I expect New Orleans to be a buyer.
What better way to be buyers than by pursuing a package centered around Herro and Ware? A deal like that would give this team what it desperately needs: more floor spacing. With a move like this, the Pelicans would also be taking a swing on a player who, two seasons ago, was an All-Star and averaged 23.9 points while shooting 37.5 percent from three.
Plugging in Herro alongside Jeremiah Fears/Dejounte Murray in the backcourt would be perfect as it offers off-ball scoring upside and gives the team a really talented shot creator.
Considering Herro is in the last year of his deal, I think it’s fair to assume the Bucks are indifferent when it comes to his future in Milwaukee. After failing to make a splash at the draft, the Pelicans front office has an immediate opportunity to redeem themselves by making an obvious next move to acquire Tyler Herro.
