The New Orleans Pelicans could trade Eric Bledsoe for a more balanced roster.
The New Orleans Pelicans struck late last night, trading Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks for a package of players and picks based around Eric Bledsoe.
The Pels got Bledsoe, George Hill, three first-round draft picks and two pick swaps for their star guard, a nice haul that could be much better depending on what happens with Giannis.
There were multiple trades in the first day that could affect the Pelicans but the Jrue Holiday move was something fans have been waiting for, and in some cases dreading, for a long time.
The big prize was all of the draft picks, which the Pels could turn into a juggernaut if they play their cards right. The players the Pels will receive are less exciting, especially considering they are both guards, a deep position for the Pelicans.
Coming into the offseason, adding two more guards to the roster was not on the agenda, as the Pels are light at both forward positions and still need a center.
George Hill makes sense, as the Pelicans needed some quality depth for their bench and he led the league in 3-point percentage last season. Hill can run the backup point and plays decent defense, even at his advanced age.
Bledsoe makes less sense. On one hand, he can replace most of Holiday’s production, on the other, the Pelicans still have Lonzo Ball, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and potentially Frank Jackson and do not need another tweener point guard.
Bledsoe could definitely be moved for a player who better fits what the Pels need now, which is a forward or a center.
Here are two trades for Eric Bledsoe that could work.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Eric Bledsoe to the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks were one of the many teams who were reportedly interested in Jrue Holiday and they would have been a good match.
The Hawks are still desperate to get a veteran guard who can play defense to put next to Trae Young and now they can get one for much cheaper than the cost of Holiday.
In this trade, the Hawks trade from their surplus of big men to get the defensive guard they covet. The Pelicans give up Bledsoe plus one of their many first-round picks to get Clint Capela, their new starting center.
Capela would be a nice fit next to Zion Williamson, is only 26-years-old and is under a reasonable contract that runs through 2022-23.
Capela would give the Pelicans the rim protection and rebounding they need and would allow Jaxson Hayes more time to develop.
If the Pels can move Bledsoe and a pick for a quality big man, they should do it.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Eric Bledsoe to the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have reportedly been looking for a veteran guard and now the Pelicans have one they can afford.
The Bulls didn’t really have the assets to get Jrue Holiday but they have some players that could fit the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Eric Bledsoe.
In this trade, the Pels give the Bulls their veteran guard and take back 32-year-old power forward Thaddeus Young and big-man prospect Luke Kornet.
This trade would give the Pels some depth at power forward and center while also freeing up some future cap space. Young has one less year on his contract than Bledsoe and the final year is only partially guaranteed.
This would somewhat balance the Pelicans’ roster and give them another young player to develop in Kornet. Young is not a rim protector per se, but he is a good defender who still averages 1.5 steals per game.
The first trade would obviously be more appealing to the New Orleans Pelicans, but there is value out there for Eric Bledsoe, even if it is essentially filler and depth.