Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans signaled a change in their roster identity with a trade deadline move for defensive stalwarts James Johnson and Wes Iwundu. In the hopes of becoming an elite defensive team (not this season, but next), the shift of mindset was apparent and understood.
A roster with two budding offensive superstars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson needs to surround them with players capable of absorbing the toughest matchups to alleviate the stress of being the best on both ends.