This season, many teams in the NBA league have not achieved their expected win rates. For example, the Philadelphia 76ers, with their luxury lineup of Embiid, Paul George, and Maxi, still have a win rate that ranks fourth from the bottom in the East. The 76ers formed this three-giant lineup with the goal of winning the championship, but with Embiid, George, and Maxi taking turns getting injured, it's estimated that even making it to the playoffs will be a challenge. The Minnesota Timberwolves in the West are also a team that has experienced some disappointment. Last season, they were at the top of the Western Conference, but this season, the Timberwolves are finding it difficult to even make it to the playoffs. Officially disbanded! A super dark horse with 1 win and 16 losses, the four giants lineup disintegrates, and the No. 1 pick and No. 2 pick are traded.
NBA journalist Evan Sidery reported that the Timberwolves' management is evaluating Julius Randle's trade value to address their inconsistent start. After trading away Towns, the Timberwolves not only lost an important offensive helper but also remain above the second-tier luxury tax line in terms of salary. Therefore, the Timberwolves still need to trade Randle, preferably clearing his contract while completing trades to strengthen the team. Randle is averaging 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 0.8 steals this season. Additionally, DiVincenzo joined the Timberwolves as a substitute but has performed poorly, and he has also expressed dissatisfaction.
This season, there is another team in the Western Conference that has a four-giant lineup but has produced the worst record. They are probably one of the fastest-declining teams this season. Last season, the Pelicans not only had a win rate of 59.8% (the best in team history in the past 15 years) but also made it to the playoffs. During the offseason, the Pelicans acquired All-Star guard Dejounte Murray through a trade. The Pelicans planned to form a four-giant lineup with Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Ingram, and McCollum, but unexpectedly, they have produced the worst record in the West this season, which is very poor.
According to NBA statistics, the Pelicans have won only 1 out of their last 17 games, creating the worst record in the league during the same period. Despite Dejounte Murray and McCollum returning, the Pelicans have still suffered seven consecutive losses recently, unable to lead the team to victory, which is quite embarrassing. This season, the Pelicans' four giants and other core players have been injured in rotation, leading to increasingly poor records and making it harder to win games. Their young players have become accustomed to tanking, and despite having a luxurious four-giant lineup, the Pelicans may miss the playoffs this season.
ESPN officially reported that the Pelicans are putting their core trio of Zion Williamson, Ingram, and McCollum on the trade block. Dejounte Murray, who was just traded for less than half a year ago, is not being traded for now. The Pelicans are notifying the rest of the league that their four-giant lineup is officially disbanded, and all core stars are available for trade. Fans jokingly say that the Jazz and Trail Blazers haven't even started to disband yet, but the Pelicans have taken the lead in breaking up. This season, the Jazz have gone all-in on tanking, but their win rate is still higher than the Pelicans'.
What is the latest situation and trade market for No. 1 pick Zion Williamson and No. 2 pick Ingram? Zion Williamson has only played 6 games this season, averaging 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Previously, there were rumors that the Warriors were interested in Zion. Ingram has played 18 games this season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. Ingram is still quite popular; he doesn't have the same level of exaggeration as Zion, but at least his attendance rate and statistics are relatively qualified. The Nuggets are interested in trading for Ingram. Ingram wants a max contract extension, but the Pelicans are unwilling to provide it.
