Pelicans' Questionable Offseason Trade Looks Better After Saddiq Bey's Rise

There aren’t many positives to take from the New Orleans Pelicans’ disastrous 3-18 start to the season. Outside of a few bright spots, the campaign has been defined by struggle and disappointment. A centerpiece of the team’s offseason moves—a trade that looked questionable at the time—started to look more reasonable as Saddiq Bey began to emerge and solidify his role.

Key points

The Pelicans’ early-season record stood as a major setback, highlighting the need for improvements and a shift in momentum.
Saddiq Bey’s rise provided a spark, fueling optimism that the offseason trade could pay dividends.
The development of Bey has influenced perceptions of the trade, casting it in a more favorable light than initially expected.

Quotes

“There aren’t many positives to take from the Pelicans’ poor start,” underscored the sentiment around the team’s performance early in the season.
Bey’s ascent offered a tangible sign that the trade might contribute meaningfully to the team’s future trajectory.

Overall assessment The season’s rough start overshadowed the offseason move, but Bey’s progress has begun to validate the trade, suggesting that the Pelicans’ long-term outlook could improve if Bey continues to ascend and integrate into the rotation.

Author’s summary Saddiq Bey’s breakout has shifted the narrative on the Pelicans’ offseason trade from questionable to cautiously hopeful as the season progresses.

Sports Illustrated on MSN — 2025-12-01

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