The New Orleans Pelicans have an obvious need at the center position this offseason. They also have an obvious solution to that problem. With a plethora of forwards on the roster, Saddiq Bey is the perfect player to trade for a center.
Even though I am suggesting the Pelicans trade him, I am a big Bey fan. He was a great pickup by Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver last offseason. Injuries had hampered Bey's career, but he played in 72 games for the Pelicans last season. He also scored a career-high 17.7 points per game. Bey was arguably the Pelicans' most consistent player. The issue with Bey is that the 2026-2027 season is the last of his current contract. With Bey on the verge of free agency, the Pelicans will need to decide whether to give him a long-term contract or try to trade him.
Bey will be making $6.5+ million this season but is in line for a big raise based on his performance last season.
The Pelicans have a few options with Saddiq Bey
The Pelicans don’t need to trade him this offseason; they could always wait to see how they do in the first half of the season and possibly trade him around the trade deadline.
If Dumars and Weaver chose to do this, they would be taking a risk. Bey could always get injured, or his performance could drop. Trading Bey this offseason is the best time to make a move with Bey, seeing as his trade value has never been higher.
With Bey’s trade value at an all-time high, the Pelicans can use him to trade for a starting center. Pelican Debrief has discussed the Pelicans' center problem quite a bit, offering several potential solutions. The Pelicans could still sign a center in free agency, but there may be some better options via trade. They don’t have a ton of money to spend on a center, while Bey could potentially get them a solid starter.
The Pelicans currently have a bit of a logjam at the forward spot. Bey may not even be a starter for them, which says a lot about their depth at the position. If I’m putting out a starting lineup for the team right now, I have Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson starting at the forward positions, with Bey coming off the bench.
Based on last season’s performance, Bey has earned a starting spot. The Pelicans would be doing him a favor by trading him to a team where he can start and get more minutes in his contract year. Of course, this all depends on what centers are available and who they can get in a trade involving Bey.
If the Pelicans can trade Bey for a solid starting center who can give them 25 to 30 minutes per game, I think they have to pull the trigger.
