The New Orleans Pelicans had high hopes for the 2020-21 NBA season, but it looks like the slow start of the season has got them to lower their expectations. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Pelicans are looking to be sellers on the trade market in the coming weeks, with Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick being among the available players.
Charania reports that New Orleans has received several calls about the availability of Ball and Redick in recent days and responded positively to them. The team showed “openness” to discussing trade scenarios with interested parties, and the duo might be moved before the trade deadline if the right offer comes.
Besides having a poor start to the season, there are several other reasons why the Pelicans are interested in trading these players.
Lonzo Ball is set to be a restricted free agent next offseason, which puts the team in danger of losing him for nothing if the 23-year-old point guard receives an offer they are not comfortable with matching. Also, Ball has not been playing very well this season, averaging 12 points, a career-low 3.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and shooting just 29.1 from the three-point arc.
JJ Redick, on the other hand, is a respected shooter around the NBA and could bring in some valuable assets for the future if the team can’t compete at the moment. By moving on from Redick, the Pelicans could also give more minutes to their young guards Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis.
Redick also hasn’t been on his usual level in 2020-21, averaging only 8.1 points per game.
