New Orleans Pelicans’ Rumors: Redick for Gordon Makes no Sense

New Orleans Pelicans: J.J. Redick for Eric Gordon Makes No Sense Financially

At first glance the B/R trade looks pretty good for the Pelicans. They not only get a younger player to replace Redick, but grab an extra draft pick.

But if you take a look at the salaries, there are some huge red flags.

Gordon has three fully guaranteed years remaining after this one and a fourth year that is partially guaranteed. Starting next season, he’ll be paid $16.8 million, $18.2 million and $19.5 million over the next three seasons, with a fourth year that is only partially guaranteed at $20.9 million.

Gordon will be 35-years-old in the 2023-24 season and potentially making over $20 million a year.

The biggest reason why the New Orleans Pelicans would want to trade Redick is to get out from under his salary so that they can offer max extensions to Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson.

Taking on Gordon’s salary would not only be a bigger cap hit next season but for three more after that, which would make it very difficult to extend their “Big Three” without going way into the luxury tax.

The asset that the Pelicans would get for taking on all of this extra money would be a first round pick in 2022.

While draft picks are always valuable and could be used in a future trade, the Pelicans already have their own first rounder in 2022, and a slew of upcoming first rounders from the Lakers.

If the Pelicans are going to take on extra salary, then they need to get more than just a draft pick that will likely be towards the end of the first round.

The Pelicans cannot give up their financial flexibility for a player of Gordon’s age and injury history.