Although they lost Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, among others, the New Orleans Pelicans did add a proven 20-point scorer/lethal sharp-shooter in CJ McCollum before the trade deadline.
In time, Larry Nance Jr. (and perhaps Tony Snell at certain points) should prove a net positive, too.
On the other hand, it’s difficult to see how the San Antonio Spurs, Saturday’s matchup, are better suited for their second half stretch run.
San Antonio moved a good veteran in Derrick White to the Boston Celtics, returning Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford. Both of those players will not play tonight, along with Goran Dragic, who was acquired in a deal with Toronto.