Pelicans Shop Poole Alvarado Missi as Pacers Ponder Mathurin

Merlin sees the trade winds picking up before the 2026 deadline. Multiple Bulls, Pacers and Pelicans players are on the market, with New Orleans guards Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado listed as candidates and 21-year-old center Yves Missi drawing interest from Indiana and Chicago. Chicago is reportedly "unlikely to part ways with Nikola Vučević" even though he may attract "strong interest" as a future free agent. There is an "incomplete deal framework" discussed that would send Missi to Indiana for guard Bennedict Mathurin, who is scoring a career-high 17.8 points but brings defensive concerns and restricted free agent questions. Merlin senses teams weighing upside against fit and money. Missi offers youth and upside behind Zion Williamson. Mathurin gives scoring but creates defensive drag and salary risk. New Orleans could move Poole or Alvarado to clear room for rookie Jeremiah Fears. Expect smaller, strategic moves rather than a blockbuster.