Pelicans Rumors: Trading J.J. Redick to the Knicks makes no sense
J.J. Redick of the New Orleans Pelicans has been linked in trade rumors to the Nets, 76ers, Celtics and most recently, the New York Knicks.
The Knicks were the latest team to get in on the Redick rumors according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who added the Knicks to the list of potential suitors.
This is the first time I’d heard the New York Knicks in reference to Redick (at least recently), as he is usually attached to contending teams looking to bolster their shooting for the playoffs.
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The New York Knicks would like to make the playoffs to be sure, but are they the type of win-now team that would want J.J. Redick?
I really don’t see this trade working for either team, here’s why.
New Orleans Pelicans: Why the Knicks shouldn’t trade for J.J. Redick
The Knicks are 9-13, the 11th seed in the East but are only 1.5 games out of the 8th spot. They would love to make the playoffs this season to inject some life into their franchise and get their young guys some big-game reps.
But the Knicks are hardly a contender and Redick isn’t going to make them one and is probably not even going to make them much better.
If the Knicks are stupid enough to give up an asset for an aging player who is making $13 million and shooting less than 30 percent from 3-point range then I’m all for it.
But even the Knicks can’t be that dumb, especially when their ceiling is the 8th seed in the mediocre Eastern Conference either way.
New Orleans Pelicans: J.J. Redick to the Knicks makes no sense for the Pelicans
The Pels would surely love to accommodate Redick’s wish to be traded to a team in the northeast, but they need to find one that has a reason to give up something for his services.
The Knicks are not that team and even if they were, they don’t really have any players, contracts or draft picks (that they would be willing to give up) for Redick.
A team like the 76ers seems far more likely, as they are absolutely contenders and have a few young players who don’t get big minutes and might be attractive to the Pelicans.
If the Knicks were willing to give up Nerlens Noel as part of a Redick deal, the Pels might have some interest, but otherwise, I don’t see a match.
NBA trade rumors often emerge from nowhere, which may have happened here, as it doesn’t make sense for either team.
Next. 5 Pelicans most likely to be traded before the deadline. dark