New Orleans Pelicans: Should the Pels trade Eric Bledsoe now?

The New Orleans Pelicans have been the topic of trade rumors, which was expected. Both Lonzo Ball and J.J. Redick are on the final year of their contracts and have trade value.

But what about Eric Bledsoe?

He is not on the final year of his deal but his name has also popped up in trade rumors after the Pelicans got off to a rough start.

Bledsoe has been up and down, though mostly solid for the Pelicans and has played well of late.

There are a few contenders that could use depth at guard or may want an upgrade from what they already have.

The Pelicans are in no hurry to move Eric Bledsoe, as he has been productive enough and might have more value in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline when there will only be one guaranteed year left on his deal.

Bledsoe has played well enough to attract some attention and will be a trade target as the deadline gets closer.

But will the Pelicans trade him?

Why the New Orleans Pelicans should trade Eric Bledsoe

Right now the pairing of Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball has not been great. There is a much greater chance that Lonzo will be part of the Pels’ long-term future than Bledsoe and it would be nice to see what he can do with Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

If the Pelicans don’t feel like they are going anywhere this season, then they could try to get out from under Bledsoe’s final year plus (he has a partial guarantee for 2022-23) so that they can find a free agent who better fits their roster.

A team like the Los Angeles Clippers might give the Pels a call on Bledsoe. A trade built around Bledsoe and Patrick Beverley would work, which would get the Pels out of Bledsoe’s third year and probably get them another project player.

If the Pels don’t think Bledsoe is the guy, then move him, let the young backcourt play and try to clear some cap.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans should not trade Eric Bledsoe

Bledsoe has not been horrible for the Pelicans, especially lately, as his shot has started to fall.

He’s been pretty much what they expected when they got him, which is a guy who can defend, is a streaky shooter and doesn’t make a ton of plays.

The argument for keeping Bledsoe is that the Pels young guards haven’t been very good either, so trading Bledsoe would more or less be giving up on the season, as it would likely mean big minutes for NAW and rookie Kira Lewis Jr.

It’s too early for that, though the clock is ticking.

The other reason to wait is that Bledsoe might be more valuable in the offseason when his contract doesn’t look as bad to a team that doesn’t want to take on any long-term salary.

Lonzo Ball has also been in rumors and could get more in a trade, in which case Bledsoe is probably less likely to go.

If the New Orleans Pelicans think the season would be better served as a developmental one for their young guards, then we may see Eric Bledsoe on the move at some point soon.