Pelicans cleverly trade Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe for Grizzlies’ Jonas Valanciunas

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, their 10th and 40th picks in the 2021 NBA Draft and the 2022 Lakers first-round pick (top-10 protected) at the Grizzlies for the 17th. and Jonas Valanciunas and Memphis’ 51st pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Today’s deal frees up space for the Pelicans to go in a number of different directions when free agency begins next month and make further changes to a starting 2020-21 lineup that doesn’t. did not meet expectations.

The Pelicans now have the ability to hunt Kyle Lowry for good, potentially having nearly $ 36 million to hang, re-signing a free agent or two like Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart (Woj writes that New Orleans has an interest in bringing Hart back ), and / or hunt other free agents in the market like Duncan Robinson, Dennis Schroder and Spencer Dinwiddie.

As well as now possessing excellent flexibility on the books going forward – there are no negative anchor-like assets, knocking down Adams, a big paint jam with few offensive instincts, for Valanciunas would have to pay. immediate dividends in the field.

Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, two of the league’s most prolific ball pilots, struggled to find lanes or often hit dangerous teammates when sharing the field with Adams. The New Zealand-born center did not pose a threat to score from anywhere far from the rim. Valanciunas, on the other hand, doesn’t present such problems, proving himself ridiculously adept at hitting shots from any distance.

Don’t be fooled by Adams’ placement percentages away from the rim. He only attempted 109 shots over three feet. Conversely, appearing in just three more games than Adams, Valanciunas totaled 458 attempts to shoot that range.

While differences in blocks, interceptions, assists and turnovers were negligible last season, Valanciunas compares favorably elsewhere at Adams, including on glass, the defensive end of the ground and overall impact.

Now Valanciunas is no lock in being Zion’s perfect running mate – he’s not a true Stretch 5, but he scores significantly better on paper and the Pelicans are only responsible for the experience of the coming season. Valanciunas will soon enter the 2021-22 season in the final year of his three-year, $ 45 million contract.

If the magic happens, great, the pelicans will have the bird rights of Valanciunas. Otherwise, it could be moved before the next deadline as a valuable expiring chip for playoff contenders.

The cost of doing such friendly business, of course, had to be felt somewhere. The 2021 NBA Draft is believed to have around 12 really talented players at the top, so going from No.10 to No.17 stings slightly. Additionally, the Pelicans had to send another future first (the Lakers’ 2022 first round), but luckily he’s protected in the top 10 in the unlikely event that Los Angeles has a hugely disappointing season.

If the Pelicans hang on to the 17th pick, there are some shooters expected to be available in the lineup who could help in the near future, namely Corey Kispert, Trey Murphy and Chris Duarte.

At first glance, trading for Jonas Valanciunas while pulling contracts from Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe looks a lot like a win for the New Orleans Pelicans. There are no more bad deals on the books. Future assets are valuable, no doubt, but with the Pelicans feeling the pressure to turn this team into a winner around Zion this summer, today’s trade was a smart move to accelerate a quick turnaround.

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