New Orleans Pelicans: Grading the blockbuster Steven Adams Trade

The New Orleans Pelicans definitely impressed by adding complementary players and future draft capital

The Return

The returning package the New Orleans Pelicans got in this deal was substantially better than any speculated Jrue Holiday deal from the offseason.

Instead of a package built on younger players who need to develop, and filler veteran salaries, the Pelicans got two proven commodities in Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe. Targeting Adams was smart because he automatically slots in as the Pelicans starting center and gives them a unique blend of physicality and skill up front.

Bledsoe’s situation is a little bit more complex because he’s slated to make 17 million dollars this season, so if the Pelicans choose to keep him with Adams and a Brandon Ingram extension incoming, they will be paying the luxury tax. I’m not sure Bledsoe is a player worth paying the tax for but if he does remain on the roster his blend of defense and playmaking will also make the team better.

Then, the final part of this deal is the two first-round picks and two pick swaps the Pelicans will get from the Bucks. These picks are tremendous because the organization could use them to trade for other quality players or sit on them and have the chance to draft top talent without tanking.

Finally here’s the good part, what grade did we give the Pelicans for this move…

The Grade

Since the David Griffin and the Pelicans’ front office was able to execute such a significant trade and receive that type of return while only needing to part ways with an aging Jrue Holiday and some small draft picks, we decided to give the Pelicans an “A” for this move.

If you think that’s too high then I’ll counter you by saying that David Griffin just put together a roster good enough to make the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference while maintaining his team’s future outlook.

Some fans might be hoping for the elusive A+ but considering we’re still not sure about Bledsoe’s future or if those draft picks will truly hold their value we can’t give them that right now. However, we can say that this is a sign that David Griffin is continuing to make some smart out-of-the-box moves.

Final Grade: A