It may be a new season, but the New Orleans Pelicans don’t appear to have made any traction in developing their team. After going 26-56 last campaign, they have started this one at 0-3, seemingly stuck in the same rut that’s had them relegated to afterthoughts in the Western Conference.

Now, the situation is only getting worse, as sharpshooting guard Jordan Poole has made it known he’d prefer to be on a different team entirely. According to the latest intel, he has doubts about his long-term future with the team as they brace for another long and uncompetitive season.

“Sources say Jordan Poole has told the Pelicans he would be open to opportunities elsewhere,” reported Shamit Dua. “His preference raises a broader question about how many of the team’s veterans see their long-term future in New Orleans. Poole has also recorded more minutes than Jones in the last two contests.”

Poole, 27, won a championship just four years ago — but ever since his trade from the Golden State Warriors, he’s struggled to find success. He only played 39 games last season, and was just three games into the new campaign before he submitted his first trade request. While he’s not a star by any stretch, he’s someone who could command a decent return on the market as a young sharpshooter with championship experience.

Despite his four-year, $128 million contract and rough averages of 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 16.7% shooting through the first three games this season, Poole would see limited interest on the trade market, and some teams make more sense than others as a potential landing spot.

1. Miami Heat

Proposed Trade Details

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Nikola Jovic, Klay Thompson

Miami Heat Receive: Jordan Poole

At 0-4 on the season, the Miami Heat are desperate for answers right now, and they cannot afford to be complacent. With Giannis Antetokounmpo in tow, there’s an increased urgency to win, and every game matters. That’s why their name has been tied to several trade targets already, in an attempt to find perimeter defense and three-point shooting on the wing. Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins were supposed to fill that role, but their continued struggles could justify adding someone like Jordan Poole.

Off the bench, while a streaky shooter, Poole would be an ideal floor spacer, providing a spark with his isolation scoring and three-point shot-making. He already knows how to play with stars, and has shown up in plenty of high-pressure situations before. Under the Heat’s iconic championship culture, he should have no problem finding his fit and accepting his role on a rising Heat team.

The best part for Miami is they would get to offload Nikola Jovic’s contract, who has already been pushed out of Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. To make the money work, they would also have to send Klay Thompson. For the Pelicans, it’s a modest return for Poole, but it might be the best they could hope for right now given his storied history.

2. Sacramento Kings

Proposed Trade Details

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Malik Monk, Nique Clifford

Sacramento Kings Receive: Jordan Poole

The Sacramento Kings don’t have much to lose as it is. With no clear identity or plan for the future, practically anything is on the table, especially when it involves bringing in a young shooter just entering his prime. At 0-4 this season, they are once again settling into position at the bottom of the standings, and Poole would give them something to hope for after the Ben Simmons injury. At the very least, his electric game should spice things up and provide some valuable minutes off the bench.

By himself, Poole would hardly be enough to move the needle, but he’d make a powerful running mate for Zach LaVine. Together, the two would carry the Kings’ offense, potentially raising their ceiling. Poole could also serve as a mentor for Darius Acuff Jr., the Kings’ star rookie who is still a work in progress.

In exchange, the Pelicans could receive a modest package to improve depth and stockpile young talent. With Monk, they’d get an explosive scorer and fierce competitor, capable of contending for Sixth Man of the Year. Plus, they could add Nique Clifford, the 24th overall pick in 2025. Ultimately, a sharpshooter like Monk is probably the best player the New Orleans can expect for Poole, who is arguably one of the NBA’s most overpaid athletes.

3. Chicago Bulls

Proposed Trade Details

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Isaac Okoro, Buddy Hield

Chicago Bulls Receive: Jordan Poole

The Chicago Bulls are the worst-ranked three-point shooting team in the league right now, hovering at just 23.8% through the first four games. Neither Buddy Hield nor Isaac Okoro have made much of an impact off the bench, but they might have better luck with a spark plug like Poole. He’s faster and more creative with the ball, able to get his own shots in ways that very few Bulls players can right now. The pairing with Norman Powell in the backcourt would be powerful.

Ultimately, it just depends on how the Bulls feel about Poole, but they are a team that’s projected to be highly active leading up to the deadline. With one of two more moves, they could challenge for a potential play-in spot, and Poole could be the one who gets them there. They wouldn’t have to give up much for taking on Poole’s contract, either, making a package of Isaac Okoro and Buddy Hield seem more plausible.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, would acquire Isaac Okoro and Buddy Hield to bolster their bench and build up their depth. It wouldn’t save their situation, but it could balance the scales and improve the team’s flexibility both on the court and financially. Despite their slow start in Chicago this year, a change of scenery could easily help the role players return to where they were at the height of their careers, when they proved themselves as capable shooters.