As the trade deadline approaches, the time has come for front offices to wheel and deal, looking to improve their franchises for the long stretch and the playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans are the latest team to come up in trade rumors, with two names in particular popping up: JJ Redick and Lonzo Ball. According to the Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Pelicans are open to trading either of them if the right deal came along.
Ball is no stranger to being in the center of trade talks. Two years ago, when he was on the Los Angeles Lakers, he and his teammates all came up in trade discussions. This was back when the Lakers were trying to acquire Anthony Davis, who was on the Pelicans at the time.
Then, during that 2019 summer, all of that speculation turned into reality, with Ball getting traded to New Orleans for Davis. In addition to Ball, the Lakers also sent Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart to the Pelicans.
But although Ingram has thrived in a Pelicans uniform, even becoming an All-Star during his first year with them, Ball has failed to find himself an ideal niche. This season, Ball has only averaged 12 points per game, to go with 3.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He’s also been shooting a woeful 29.1% from behind the three-point arc.
JJ Redick has always been a well-respected player around the league, thriving in his role as a three-point sniper. However, he too has only averaged 8.1 points a game this season.
It will be interesting to see if Redick or Ball will get traded. And more importantly, who New Orleans might be able to get in return.
