Drastic Pelicans mock trade might be enough to save the Bucks' season

Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks were expected to be legitimate playoff contenders. Thanks in large part due to injuries, New Orleans is currently 3-9. The Bucks, meanwhile, are 4-8 and their only major injury is Khris Middleton, whose ankle has kept him sidelines. 

The Pelicans have been encouraged to let this season slip away, land a premier draft pick, and run it back next year once they're healthy. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has already gone all-in on Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo and has a playoff-or-bust mentality. 

Middleton's injury has been a major factor when it comes to dragging the Bucks down. There is no timetable for the three-time All-Star to return, and they need a warm body to bolster their lineup. By sending Middleton, rookie AJ Johnson and Pat Connaughton to the Pelicans for Ingram, Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, the Bucks would at least be able to field a complete starting five.

The Pelicans, who are in danger of losing Ingram for nothing in free agency this summer, get a solid veteran in Middleton to join their cast, as well as a young and promising rookie in Johnson. Once CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson and Jose Alverado are healthy, adding Middleton will bolster their defense, provide some added shooting, and allow them to compete next year because this season is already a wash. 

In an ideal world, the Pelicans would like to see Ingram traded away for assets instead of signing elsewhere for nothing, and this deal gets it done. The Bucks are currently a dumpster fire that desperately needs to add more complementary talent, and ditching the injured Middleton for someone who can suit up makes a lot of sense. 

In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Pelicans own the Bucks' pick provided it lands in the top four, so helping out Milwaukee might not be their prerogative, but with narrow odds for the pick to convey anyway, New Orleans could cut their losses.

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