The Pelicans were supposed to be better than this. So were the Timberwolves.

But despite carrying playoff hopes into this season and rostering an NBA elite, neither could score even a ticket to the play-in tournament. Both could now be open to a mega-move if the price is right.

The Pels need to level up around all-galaxy phenom Zion Williamson. They can't half-step the effort like last summer, when they spent big on Steven Adams but also sold off Jrue Holiday. It's never too early for a non-major market to show a young superstar its commitment to winning, and frankly, Williamson is such a dominant force already, New Orleans needs to be an annual playoff participant sooner than later.

Making an aggressive move for former All-Stars (and close friends) Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell would not only get Williamson's attention, it should also give the Pelicans a direct path to a top-10 offense (if not a top-five attack). The pick-and-roll options between the three are endless, and there isn't a frontcourt out there with defensive answers for both Williamson and Towns.

Brandon Ingram is a really good player, but he doesn't help Williamson the way Towns would as a stretch center who can unclog the middle on offense and protect the paint on defense. Tack on Russell as the third scorer and shot-creator, and this attack would be a nightmare—and that's before baking in the possibility of impending restricted free agent Lonzo Ball's return and the development of Kira Lewis Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

As for Minnesota, it would be resetting around the 23-year-old Ingram, 19-year-old Anthony Edwards and whatever it can find on draft night (ideally two lottery picks—this one and the top-three protected one it owes Golden State). The Wolves could try to be relatively competitive with vets like Adams, Ricky Rubio and Malik Beasley around, or they could broker more deals for additional rebuilding assets.