I began writing this trade piece with an eye towards linking the 2018-19 New Orleans Pelicans to the 2009-10 Phoenix Suns and how they could potentially emulate that roster’s success.
Upon further review, it quickly became apparent that the Pels wouldn’t be able to copy the formula due to a combination of health, roster cohesion and excellence at the point guard position from Steve Nash. That Suns team had a preposterous run of good health from their core nine players all the way through the playoffs. They also had a roster that seamlessly fit together with a primary playmaker in Steve Nash, an elite offensive big in Amar’e Stoudemire and a combination of ample shooting and defense from complimentary pieces such as Jason Richardson, Channing Frye, Grant Hill, Jared Dudley and Robin Lopez.