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Pelicans Keeping Tabs On Karlo Matkovic's Trade Value

The New Orleans Pelicans are monitoring the progress of 2022 second-round pick Karlo Matkovic ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Chris Dodson|
Pelicans Keeping Tabs On Karlo Matkovic's Trade Value
Pelicans Keeping Tabs On Karlo Matkovic's Trade Value

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New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans, La.- The New Orleans Pelicans just snapped a ten-game losing streak with two wins over California-based rivals. Despite the upturn in momentum, the pressure of the trade deadline is coming up soon. As contenders try to build packages for a playoff contributor, front offices have to get creative.

The Pelicans have some surplus-to-requirements contracts and plenty of draft assets but emptying the war chest this season might be a bit ahead of schedule for this roster. However, they do have one draft-and-stash option to help push a deal across the finish line. The team has been keeping tabs on 2022 NBA second-round selection Karlo Matkovic and could offer the young European prospect to sweeten a deal.

Matkovic has shown growth since having his first NBA Summer League experience cut short due to a cut on his hand. Matkovic missed only one shot while putting up 17 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks in a EuroBasket warm-up win over Switzerland. 

He had 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist on a perfect 8/8 from the field in leading Croatia to a 73-70 win over Estonia in EuroBasket group play. The 21-year-old played only 19 minutes but was named Player of the Game by at least one European outlet. 

It's not quite the same sample size or portfolio of Eurobasket MVP Willy Hernangomez, but NBA scouts can see the potential. Matkovic's ceiling as a backup big man has value.

Matkovic is averaging 15 minutes per game in both EuroCup and Adriatic League (ABA) competitions for Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija, who are 12-5 and in a playoff positioning battle in league play. 

In the tougher EuroCup, Cedevita Olimpija is just 3-10. When Matkovic played more than 12 minutes in EuroCup games though, the team was 3-1. He can at least tread water and not leak buckets to older, bigger opposition.

In fact, Matkovic's stats actually get better against tougher competition. The matchups are different and on a team with former NBAers like Yogi Ferrell, Matkovic got slightly more minutes per game in the EuroCup (15.6), averaging 8.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1 block on 56% shooting. He is expanding his shooting range but really, seriously, knows how to run toward the rim.

The Pelicans have a gem according to most European scouts. GM Trajan Langdon has tons of connections across the Atlantic and, unless a trade happens, the team plans to bring Matkovic back over for NBA Summer League and training camp runs this summer.

Matkovic explained during preseason camp in New Orleans, "Right now I'm with Cedevita Olimpija for a year, and then after hopefully a healthy season, we will see about probably going over...In Summer League I played only one game and got injured (hand) so I didn't get to play the rest of it but it was a really nice experience, to develop with a great organization. It felt like family there."

Not many draft-and-stash selections actually make an impact in the NBA. They don't all turn out to be Manu Ginobili, who needed several years of overseas seasoning before bringing the Eurostep to the San Antonio Spurs. So there are a few questions hanging in the air over Matkovic's future with the Pelicans.

  • New Orleans needs another cheap but productive big man as the roster gets more expensive, but then again who doesn't? Will the Pelicans wait and use Matkovic to fill a cheap salary slot next season or is an upgrade too pressing of an issue now? 
  • When the Pelicans start bargaining and getting to brass tacks in the final two days before the NBA trade deadline, how much will Matkovic be worth? His value is up since last summer. Could he be flipped to at least another draft pick to be flipped or sold later?
  • Could the Pelicans possibly save a draft pick or perhaps Kira Lewis Jr. by including Matkovic, or would the young European prospect be worth only the ubiquitous 'cash considerations' that entice ownership groups flirting with the luxury tax?

The Timberwolves mortgaged its long-term future on Rudy Gobert. The Mavericks paid a ransom for what could be a short-term rental in the Kyrie Irving deal. The Lakers just made a Rui Hachimura move around the margins.

With so many teams packed into the middle of the playoff race, moves are being made. New Orleans is primed to make a deal, be it a home run or just a couple of singles. Either way, every asset counts. Matkovic included. And over the past few months, he has raised his stock. The Pelicans might be able to squeeze a bit more value out of what was the 52nd overall pick in last year's draft.

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Chris Dodson
CHRIS DODSON

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