The New Orleans Pelicans are at the center of just about every trade rumor at the moment, many of them involving J.J. Redick.
The Pels have been disappointing and Redick is in the final year of his deal, so it makes sense that teams would be interested even though he has not shot the ball well.
So far, Redick has been rumored to three different teams in the Eastern Conference, the Nets, the Celtics and the 76ers.
Of these three teams, the 76ers seem like the best trade partner for several reasons.
Here is why the 76ers should be the focus of any J.J. Redick trade.
J.J. Redick trade rumors: the 76ers are desperate to win now
One of the reasons the Pels should look to the 76ers for a J.J. Redick trade is that they are desperate to win.
After some early exits from the playoffs, the 76ers will consider this season an abject failure if they don’t at least make the Eastern Conference Finals.
Desperation makes teams do crazy things, so if the Pels can drum up a bidding war, the 76ers are the most likely to overpay for Redick.
They are familiar with his work and know exactly what they are getting. Add that to their desire to win right now and Redick might be more valuable to the 76ers than any other potential trade suitor.
The Celtics and Nets would both like to win as well, but the Celtics were at least in the ECF and have a younger core than Philly.
The Nets are scoring plenty without Redick and probably don’t need him, so of these three teams, Philly should be most eager to make a deal.
New Orleans Pelicans: Take care of J.J. Redick by sending him to Philadelphia
The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to establish themselves as a franchise.
So far, it has not gone well in the win column, but they are amassing young talent and assets that put them in the mix in the Western Conference very soon.
With Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pels should be able to attract free agents, especially if they get a reputation of being a good franchise to play for.
Part of that is taking care of your veteran players when it comes time to trade them. The Pelicans sent Jrue Holiday to a contender and made sure Anthony Davis got to his preferred team.
They should do the same with Redick, as players pay attention to this stuff. Ask the Phoenix Suns, who have a reputation of being a cheap franchise with a bad owner. When was the last time they landed a marquee free agent?
Ask players around the league what they think of the Houston Rockets. This is not where the Pels want to be.
If the New Orleans Pelicans ever want to be a free-agent destination, it will help if they have a reputation for being good to their players.
J.J. Redick is comfortable and familiar with Philadelphia and will have good things to say about the Pelicans if they send him there.
New Orleans Pelicans: 76ers might have the best trade package for J.J Redick
The Philadelphia 76ers have the right combination of young players or picks that the New Orleans Pelicans will undoubtedly seek in a trade for Redick.
The Celtics won’t part with any of their core, though they may have a few young bigs that could draw the Pels’ interest.
The Nets don’t really have the contracts or picks and would almost certainly require a third team.
That leaves the Philadelphia 76ers, who might have a project player that interests the Pelicans.
The 76ers could offer guys like Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, Terrance Ferguson or Tony Bradley, all players who are young (except Scott) and could interest the Pelicans.
The 76ers also have some second-round picks that might look attractive to the New Orleans Pelicans, including one they are getting from the Knicks in 2021.
If the Pels could get one of these young players plus a second-round pick, that is probably the best-case scenario for a J.J. Redick trade.
Changes are coming to the New Orleans Pelicans and Redick may be on his way back to Philly.