The New Orleans Pelicans could be active at the trade deadline, as they have some needs and a couple of veterans that may be assets in a trade.
The Los Angeles Clippers would love to add some additional talent, as they are currently 2nd in the West and probably view this as a “Finals or bust” type of season, especially after failing to even make the Western Conference Finals last year.
Marc Spears reported that the Clippers were looking for a veteran point guard to add at the deadline, and the New Orleans Pelicans happen to have one in Eric Bledsoe who started his career in Los Angeles.
The Clippers currently have veteran Reggie Jackson playing big minutes off the bench and Bledsoe would be an upgrade, especially on the defensive end.
Bledsoe is also shooting a career-best 39.3 percent from behind the arc on 5.3 attempts per game so could replace Jackson’s offensive contributions while adding some defense.
The Clippers also have one disappointing player who they might want to jettison and could help the Pelicans’ miserable bench.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Eric Bledsoe to the LA Clippers
Here is a trade that might work for both teams, though there are some financial aspects that would have to be worked out. This would be the foundation of the trade, though more pieces would likely have to be involved.
In this trade, the Clippers get a veteran point guard for their bench while getting out from a contract that they already regret.
The New Orleans Pelicans get to take a flyer on a guy whose skills more match what they need off their bench.
So who says no?
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Eric Bledsoe for Luke Kennard
When the Clippers signed Luke Kennard to a lucrative extension, many were shaking their heads as he hasn’t done much since being drafted by the Detroit Pistons, who were willing to give the Clippers a bunch of 2nd-round picks just to get rid of them.
Kennard has been a bust in LA so far and is barely getting off their bench at this point. The Clippers might do this trade just to get out from the three guaranteed years they owe Kennard after this one.
In return they get back a guy whose theoretical ceiling is lower than Kennard’s (at least offensively) but who helps them win now and more fits in with their culture of toughness and defense.
Bledsoe would give the Clippers yet another talented perimeter defender to go along with the ones they already have and would give them another weapon to go to war with once the playoffs come around.
The Clippers may not be willing to admit they screwed up with Kennard just yet but they are probably getting close, as he has barely left the bench over the last six games if at all.
They get depth for their run now and future cap space, though they would likely have to bring in a third team to make the money work without going into the tax.
Would the New Orleans Pelicans give up Bledsoe to take a flyer on Kennard?
New Orleans Pelicans: Taking a gamble on Luke Kennard
The New Orleans Pelicans have the worst bench in the NBA and could desperately use a guy who can score and make plays.
Kennard is a plus 3-point shooter but hasn’t shown he can do much else. The talent is there but he may never get a chance on the Clippers, who can’t afford to develop players during the Kawhi Leonard/ Paul George era.
The Pelicans have the luxury of time and Kennard theoretically gives them something they need, which is bench scoring. This move would allow them to move Josh Hart into the starting lineup, and would give them more depth off the bench.
But what about the defense? Kennard doesn’t play much of it, but guess what? The Pels’ defense stinks with Bledsoe and can’t get much worse, so at this point it might be worth it just to shake things up and take a chance on a former lottery pick.
Of course, Stan Van Gundy is well familiar with Kennard from his time in Detroit, so would know exactly how he might or might not fit in and may beg David Griffin to stay away.
There’s also the issue of Kennard’s dumb contract, which runs through 2023-24 with a team option for an additional year. This move would almost have to be coupled with a trade of J.J. Redick, but if Kennard moved into the Redick slot, that would still leave Bledsoe’s open for Lonzo Ball’s future deal, though might mean sacrificing Josh Hart.
It would be a risk for sure, but one that might be worth it for the Pelicans who could use Kennard’s 44 percent 3-point shooting off their bench.
It’s not a slam dunk for either team and would be painful for both in some ways but it might be a chance for both to improve now and in the future.