New Orleans Pelicans: Two Offseason Trades for J.J. Redick

New Orleans Pelicans: Offseason Trades for J.J. Redick

A recent Bleacher Report article suggested that the New Orleans Pelicans should trade J.J. Redick to Houston for Eric Gordon and a first round pick.

This trade makes zero sense for the Pelicans, as they’d be taking back a lesser, injury-riddled player with four years remaining on his contract just for a pick that will likely be in the high 20’s.

But there are some trades with Houston that do make some sense for both sides. Houston loves the 3-pointer and shoots more of them per game than any team in the NBA, but they are just 23rd in percentage, so adding a player like Redick makes sense from their point of view.

Houston is also the second oldest team in the NBA, in full-blown “win now” mode, and will look to add guys who are ready to hit the ground shooting.

The Pelicans would like to add a forward who can defend, grab rebounds and shoot some, which is why this trade makes sense for both sides:

The Rockets get their shooter and the Pelicans get a serviceable and versatile power forward to compete for backup minutes with Melli. Adding Ben McLemore just helps make the salaries work, though he is not not a bad backup option himself.

The Rockets may want the Pelicans to throw in a protected pick to balance the trade a bit more, but this works for both sides and neither have to take on long-term money.

The Pels would also get a guy in McLemore who can shoot the 3-ball and play backup to Brandon Ingram. Both Tucker and McLemore would be off the books after next season, so the Pelicans would not be hurting their long-term financial flexibility.