I don't the Pelicans can be vindictive to the point where they turn players off from wanting to sign with them. Keep in mind, this is still a small, mostly football oriented market and not a place where free agents are clamoring to come to. I don't think you need to make things worse.
I do think the Pelicans should do whats best for their future but I think being petty will only hurt them in the long run.
But nobody wants to sign now
Theyve got all the leverage because they've still got an entire next season to make a deal
If they can get a blockbuster assurance from Boston then no need to be hasty
Also why trade for multiple scrubs? Gotta have at least 1 Marquee player in the deal to replace the current one