J.J. Redick has probably played his final game for the New Orleans Pelicans.
The writing was already on the wall prior to the All-Star break, as the veteran sharpshooter is wallowing through his worst season as a pro and is on the final year of his contract, making him likely trade bait.
His future with team team got even murkier when it was announced that he had undergone a procedure on his right heel which will keep him out for the immediate future.
Now the clock is ticking, as the trade deadline is approaching and if the Pelicans can’t move Redick before then, they risk losing him for nothing when he becomes a free agent in the offseason.
The question is whether any team will be interested in a guy who has struggled all season and will now be trying to come back from an injury.
New Orleans Pelicans: Is J.J. Redick tradeable?
The news about Redick’s heel is disappointing for a few reasons. It will make it harder to deal the veteran, who was not likely to bring much in return before the injury.
I also have to wonder if this is why Redick has not looked himself this season. Father Time is undefeated but you rarely see healthy players suddenly forget how to do something that they’ve been doing for their entire career.
Redick has not looked right all season and I threw it out there weeks ago that he was probably nursing an injury to his foot or back, as it was clear he wasn’t moving the same as he has in the past.
Even if Redick does return from injury, it’s unlikely it will be for the New Orleans Pelicans, who need to move on at this point and see what they have in some of their young players heading into next season.
The J.J. Redick era in New Orleans never worked out as both parties hoped and we wish him well if in fact he has played his last game for the Pelicans.