New Orleans Pelicans: 3 predictions for the trade deadline
As the trade deadline approaches, the New Orleans Pelicans are still involved in a lot of trade rumors but will they actually do anything?
There are a number of factors that could lead to this being a quiet deadline for the Pelicans, but of course, that hasn’t stopped us from writing about a number of options, including pursuing a blockbuster deal for someone like Karl-Anthony Towns.
But it is more likely that the Pelicans will play out this season, re-evaluate the pieces they have and start to build for the future around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
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Lonzo Ball could also be part of this core, but we will probably not know for sure how the Pelicans feel until his name is on a new contract extension in New Orleans or somewhere else.
If the deadline is quiet, the stories may revolve around what didn’t happen and how it could affect the future.
Here are three predictions for the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline.
New Orleans Pelicans’ trade deadline prediction #1: J.J. Redick will be bought out
The worst kept secret in the league is that the Pelicans were interested in trading J.J. Redick at the deadline.
With the veteran sharpshooter struggling this season, it was already unlikely that the Pelicans would get much of a return, but with Redick now out with injury, it’s hard to imagine any team giving up anything for him.
If Redick would like to finish this season on a contender, then he might agree to leave a little of the money he is owed this season on the table in a buy-out so he an go wherever he wants as a free agent.
He would likely make that money back on whatever minimum deal he signs, so this would be a win-win for both sides, even though the Pels will be left wondering what they might have gotten for Redick in the offseason, when many of us were screaming that he should be traded.
It’s too late now, so the Pels are either stuck with Redick for the rest of this season or will have to pay him to go away. Well done, David Griffin!