Despite being absolutely loaded with talent, the New Orleans Pelicans couldn't even crack the playoffs last year. They still lack a real point guard, the right leader, and a RELIABLE superstar. This could make them the perfect team to take a chance on Dame.

They could bring in a third team for CJ and offer something like this:


NOP: Dame
BKN:CJ/Lewis
POR:Simmons/Daniels/four picks from NOP ('24 NOP/'25 LAL/'26 better of NOP or MIL/'27 MIL) and two picks from BKN ('27 PHX and less favorable of '29 DAL or PHX)

• Blazers get a nice young prospect and six picks, including several potentially juicy ones
• Pelicans would still have a strong and deep lineup of Valanciunas/Zion/Ingram/Jones/Dame - Zeller/Nance/Marshall/Murphy/Hawkins/Alvarado
• They could then ask Dame to buy-in and give it his best shot for one year and will trade him to the Heat next draft night if he wants (assuming the Heat still want him)
  
• Pelicans would have the superstar leader and point guard they need. They'd be legitimate contenders, and Dame's influence on Ingram, Zion, and their young players alone could be worth most of the price
• Assuming they aren't able to convince Dame to stay, they can then flip him for Herro + three picks and recoup most of the value they lost