New Orleans Pelicans: Everything you need to know ahead of the trade deadline

New Orleans Pelicans: What to do with the vets?

The other pertinent matter for the Pelicans is what to do with their veteran players. Right now, the Pels are in a bit of a sticky spot since they’re still able to make the play-in tournament to potentially qualify for the playoffs, but it’s not like they would be a real contender in the postseason.

NBA players only have a certain championship window and the more experienced members of the New Orleans squad might feel it closing. In particular, I’m referring to JJ Redick and Eric Bledsoe.

Redick is an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning that he can go wherever he wants next season. He has not shot the ball to his scorching standards this season and his already poor defense has continued declining with age.

Bledsoe isn’t unrestricted until 2023, although his contract is only partially guaranteed for that season. Still, he will make over $18 million next year and the Pels likely want to move him. Bledsoe has been a disappointment since coming over from the Milwaukee Bucks

Be on the lookout for moves involving Redick and Bledsoe. Redick in particular supposedly has interest from championship-caliber teams, largely those in the northeast. A move back to the Philadelphia 76ers would be logical. As for Bledsoe, the market is reportedly not there for him, but I think playoff teams could take a punt on him and see if they can rehabilitate him.

I will also include Willy Hernangómez in this category. The Spanish center is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He won’t be a marquee name in the trade market, but he makes sense as someone that could move for financial reasons or to play as a third-string center for a team.