New Orleans Pelicans: Pels need to be realistic about Redick and Bledsoe

The New Orleans Pelicans are going to face a tough salary cap situation this offseason unless they can unload J.J. Redick and Eric Bledsoe.

Redick is an expiring contract who they could just let walk at the end of the season, so he is the less important of the two, but if the Pels want any chance to re-sign both Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball, then they need to trade Eric Bledsoe.

That may require an adjustment of expectations on the return they are going to get.

It’s no secret that the Pels have been making calls about their two veteran guards, but it’s also no secret that their value has dropped this season.

According to Fox Sports, the only thing that might be holding back a trade is the the Pels’ asking price, which is reportedly too high.

Though both of these guards could definitely help a contender, none of these teams are likely to give up much to get them as they simply don’t move the needle enough to get back a promising young player or a first-round draft pick.

But that doesn’t mean the New Orleans Pelicans shouldn’t trade them, as both could be an “addition by subtraction” who allow the Pelicans to embrace their youth movement and open up some future cap space for Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.

Let’s take a look at some realistic trade returns for Redick and Bledsoe.