New Orleans Pelicans: Sorry, J.J. Redick, but you are wrong

J.J. Redick put the New Orleans Pelicans on blast for how they handled his trade to the Dallas Mavericks.

Redick spoke about the trade on his podcast, saying that he felt the Pels’ front office was dishonest in their handling of his departure.

This isn’t a good look for David Griffin and the New Orleans Pelicans, who are trying to build themselves as a future destination for players who want to play with Zion Williamson.

It had long been known that Redick preferred to  be traded to an east coast team like the Nets or Knicks and it was looking like the two sides were headed for a buyout.

I absolutely understand why Redick would be upset, as he thought he was headed closer to his family but instead ended up further away.

I wasn’t privy to the conversations he had with agents and the front office, and if they made promises that they didn’t keep, then again, I don’t blame him for feeling misled. I also rarely side with management in these cases, as I watch the game for the players and think they should usually get their way.

But the only thing I ever heard was that the Pels would “try” to accommodate Redick’s wishes to be closer to home, which obviously didn’t happen.

I feel for Redick, but in the end, the New Orleans Pelicans did the right thing.

New Orleans Pelicans: Why J.J. Redick is wrong

David Griffin was in a no-win situation here. He obviously was not getting a trade package from the Knicks or Nets or Redick would be there. Griffin had no reason not to accommodate Redick’s wishes if all things were equal but they weren’t.

The Pels also could have bought Redick out, which is what he wanted but why would they literally pay him to play for another team when they could get something in return?

If no team had offered a trade for Redick, then I am sure the Pels would have bought him out and he could go join the Nets’ superteam with every other washed-up veteran trying to chase a ring.

But Dallas did make an offer, one that could actually help the Pelicans now and in the future, so why wouldn’t they take it?

Can you imagine how Griffin would have been treated on Twitter had the mobs found out he had a deal from Dallas but turned it down so Redick could see his family more often?

Griffin did the right thing here, as he got more in return for Redick than most thought was possible and still sent his veteran to a playoff team featuring one of the best players in the league.

Sorry, J.J. but this is a business, and if you want to spend time at home, then retire.

It’s not like Redick was a career Pelican who had given years of his life to the franchise. He was paid handsomely for his time and now gets to finish the season on a better team. Sorry, but I don’t feel sorry for the guy.

It’s a shame that Redick’s time in New Orleans had to end in drama like this but the Pelicans really didn’t do anything wrong.