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The New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies are in the final stages of a huge deal that would affect the immediate and long-term futures of both franchises, per recent NBA trade rumors.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies teams have agreed to a deal that would send Jonas Valanciunas and the No. 17 and No. 51 picks of the 2021 draft to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans would then give up Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, the No. 10 and No. 40 picks of this year’s draft, and a 2022 first-rounder (top 10-protected via the LA Lakers).
ESPN salary cap expert Bobby Marks has a footnote on the trade, which can only be finalized when the 2021 free agency season officially begins.
“Because of the salary involved with all three players, this is the type of trade that cannot be finalized until August 6,” Marks said in a tweet. “The Grizzlies would need to decline the team option of Justise Winslow to make the money work and take Adams and Bledsoe back into room.”
NBA Trade Rumors: What the trade means for the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies
The massive trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies means more than just a swap of big men, draft picks and a misused guard. The trade would pay immediate dividends for both teams while giving them new and varied options for the future.
Here are the 5 key takeaways from the massive trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies:
5. Memphis Grizzlies moved up in the 2021 draft
Considering the salary dump that the New Orleans Pelicans placed on their shoulders, the Memphis Grizzlies could have gotten another pick or two out of the deal.
Despite this, they were able to move up into the lottery in the 2021 NBA Draft with the chance to select one of the players that they are probably eyeing at that position, and they did the same with their second-round pick. The LA Lakers pick next year that the New Orleans Pelicans gave up will likely be in the late 20s, but the Grizzlies could still find a gem from that position.
4. Steven Adams should be a better fit for the Memphis Grizzlies
Putting together two interior players was a disaster in the making for the New Orleans Pelicans. Pairing Zion Williamson with Steven Adams gave them strong rebounders, but the latter was virtually a liability offensively.
But on the Memphis Grizzlies, Adams should thrive as he plays with a power forward who can shoot from long distance in Jaren Jackson Jr. The 21-year-old Jackson will give Adams all the room he needs underneath on offense as the big men work hand-in-hand in clearing the boards defensively.
On the other hand, Eric Bledsoe is unlikely to stay on the Memphis Grizzlies roster. If he isn’t traded to another team, Bledsoe may still be on the way out with rumors of him being bought out by the Grizzlies.
In the end, absorbing the salaries of the two players was meant to add more draft picks while also upgrading the ones they already have. The Memphis Grizzlies also gave themselves financial flexibility next summer as they don’t seem to be enamored with the idea of signing Valanciunas to a contract extension or re-signing him next year when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
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
