New Orleans Pelicans: Should they be NBA trade deadline buyers or sellers?
By Chip Murphy
Why the New Orleans Pelicans should be NBA trade deadline sellers
Lonzo Ball has been outstanding lately. According to The Ringer, trade talks on the guard have cooled for now. But JJ Redick is showing signs of his age on both ends of the court. Both players are free agents at season’s end — Ball restricted and Redick unrestricted — making them appealing trade assets.
Moving a player like Ball, Redick, or even Eric Bledsoe for young players and picks is not a move that a team hoping to make the playoffs makes. Dealing one or more of these players could signify a shift away from postseason goals.
But there’s an argument to be made on selling high on Ball. With his shooting at career-high levels, now could be the perfect time to cash in on his value — especially if the team doesn’t intend to pay him in the offseason.
New Orleans faces a similar situation with Redick. He’s starting to show signs of his age on both ends of the court, but plenty of contending teams would love to have him. The 36-year-old won’t command as big a payday as Ball, but he’s likely not in the team’s long-term plans.
Pelicans EVP David Griffin has won the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery four times. It’s playing with fire if he wants to try his luck with the basketball gods one more time. Griffin should be the last one to want to throw away wins anyway. Since taking the reins, he’s spent an unusual amount of money for this team, and it’s led to the same result — a lot of losing.