New Orleans Pelicans: What would Blake Griffin add to the Pels?

How does Blake Griffin fit with the New Orleans Pelicans?

NBA trades are complicated enough as they are, so I won’t even try to arrange for a perfect Blake Griffin trade to New Orleans. One idea that would work, though, is Eric Bledsoe and JJ Redick in exchange for Griffin. The Pelicans get rid of Bledsoe’s sizable contract and Redick has not been important for Stan Van Gundy this season. Griffin could also seek a buyout.

One thing is for sure: any Griffin deal for the Pelicans would drastically change the roster’s appearance. Even if no one was explicitly traded for Griffin, the Pels would still need to “make room,” so to speak, for the former all-star. He would also impact their future roster plans.

Griffin will earn $36.6 million this season and $39 million for the one after. That is a boatload of money for someone who is nowhere near their peak and with a worrying history of injuries. It’s also far from a sure deal that he meshes well with the Pelicans.

Let’s assume that Bledsoe and Redick are the ones who make their exit, that would mean wholesale changes to the Pelicans’ starting lineup. A five that comes to mind is Kira Lewis Jr, Brandon Ingram, Blake Griffin, Zion Williamson, and Steven Adams. The spacing is a little clunky, but not as much as it seems since Griffin’s game is so perimeter oriented now.

Griffin could focus on feeding Ingram and Williamson while still giving the Pelicans a tertiary playmaker on the floor. Steven Adams’ minutes might wane, but that could give way to intriguing lineups with Williamson at the 5. Ball could be shifted to the bench, but would still play a lot while leading the bench units and regularly mixing in with the starters. Lewis would also gain valuable experience.

The NBA’s trade window is rapidly coming to a close and the New Orleans Pelicans have to stay alert to any possibilities that might pique their interest in the market.