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3. New Orleans Pelicans not looking to develop young talent
It’s playoffs or bust for the New Orleans Pelicans, who weren’t interested in acquiring another young player whom they would have had to take under their wings before making a major contribution. Nevertheless, the Pelicans were fortunate to receive the 17th pick of the draft in a pick swap rather than an outright giveaway of their lottery pick to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The New Orleans Pelicans can either trade the pick in a package for a more seasoned player or select a talented player who might be a better fit on their squad than one of their young players. They have plenty of options moving forward with the No. 51 pick also in play.
2. New Orleans Pelicans get financial flexibility
Adams and Bledsoe were owed more than $35 million for the coming season, which limited the New Orleans Pelicans’ options in 2021 free agency. Valanciunas is due to make just $14 million next season, which is the only salary that they have to absorb from this deal aside from the guaranteed deal due to the 17th pick of this year’s draft.
This gives the Pelicans close to $37 million in cap space to work with this offseason thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies trade.
However, moving down the 2021 draft also means that the New Orleans Pelicans would have to pay their first-round pick less money than if they had to select a player from the 10th spot.
If they don’t want to do that, too, they can simply trade the 17th pick for a future first-rounder or package it in a deal for a player who can help them achieve their immediate postseason goals.
1. New Orleans Pelicans can pursue more free agents including their own
As a result of the reported deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, the added cap space gives the New Orleans Pelicans a shot at signing free agent All-Star Kyle Lowry, someone they’ve been rumored to be targeting to take over the starting point guard position.
But the benefits don’t end there. The New Orleans Pelicans can sign Lowry while also keeping restricted free agent Josh Hart. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton explained the intricacies of the move.
“With Hart's $10.5 million cap hold on the books, the Pelicans could still offer Lowry a starting salary of up to nearly $27 million assuming they waive forward Wenyen Gabriel (whose 2021-22 salary is non-guaranteed) and decline a team option on guard Didi Louzada,” Pelton wrote.
The Pelicans’ fascination with Lowry stems from his playoff success and championship pedigree. The All-Star guard would also give New Orleans a veteran leader who can teach the team’s young stars what it takes to win even in the regular season.
But if the New Orleans Pelicans decide to pass on Lowry or any of the free agent point guards they’ve been rumored to be interested in, they can instead keep Lonzo Ball, who’s also a restricted free agent. This should make Williamson happy since he told Ball that he hopes to continue playing alongside him.
Ultimately, the New Orleans Pelicans’ trade with the Memphis Grizzlies gives them the tools they need to bring themselves closer to becoming a force in the tough Western Conference.
Also Read: NBA Trade Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks eyeing Eric Bledsoe
