Based on the lessons learned from major in-season trades across the NBA, it probably shouldn’t have been a huge surprise that New Orleans initially struggled following its multi-player deal with Portland. The Pelicans lost four of the first five games they played, though the level of competition may have had something to do with that.
Given some needed practice time over the past week and head coach Willie Green’s decision to fine-tune his rotation, New Orleans has begun the unofficial second half of 2021-22 in impressive fashion, winning by 15 points at Phoenix and 28 at the Lakers.