As per recent news reports, the Boston Celtics front office has finally caught up to the Houdini’s way of thinking when it comes to adding veteran sharp-shooting–in the form of J.J. Redick–to sure up the second unit:
"Add JJ Redick to the list of potential targets the Boston Celtics could acquire with help of their traded player exception. From The Athletic’s Shams Charania: “The New Orleans Pelicans have focused on the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics as potential trade destinations for JJ Redick.” Charania notes that Redick’s family lives in Brooklyn, and that the Pelicans sharpshooter has a “strong preference” to return to the Northeast."
A return to the Atlantic Division seems to be the imminent outcome in New Orleans’ quest to trade the struggling shooter, who has shot under 30% from beyond the arc for the first time in his 15-year career.
But what Atlantic Division foe has the best return for the 36-year?
Let’s look…
3. Brooklyn Nets
While Redick, who lives right by the Nets’ training facility, would likely invite a one-way ticket to Kings County, the Nets don’t exactly have much to trade after mortgaging their future on the James Harden trade.
The Houdini isn’t here to say that was a stupid decision. If Brooklyn surrounds that core with the necessary supporting pieces, a dynasty is imminent at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues.
That said, making trades isn’t going to be what gets them there. Sean Marks isn’t going to trade Joe Harris for an older version of himself, even if Redick comes at a significantly cheaper cost. Other than Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan are the only other tradeable pieces for Redick’s $13 million cap figure.
New Orleans isn’t going to bite on Dinwiddie’s deal considering his recent ACL tear and the fact that he could opt out of his player option for the 2021-22 season. Jordan, by way of his friendship with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, isn’t going anywhere.
HH fails to see how Brooklyn gets a deal done.
2. Boston Celtics
While I’d love to sit here and say that the Boston Celtics have the best trade package available to land Redick, like Abe Lincoln, I cannot tell a lie.
In theory, the Cs do have the best return for New Orleans. Shooting comes at a premium, and Boston does have aces in the hole in rookies Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith.
Danny Ainge (and any sane person in the same scenario) would hang up the phone if New Orleans tried to pry away either 2020 first-round draft pick, though.
That leaves future first-round picks and several young guns from the 2018 and 2019 drafts for the taking. The Pelicans probably aren’t going to bite on an offer that includes just one of a group that includes Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams. Including several from the aforementioned group would destroy the C’s depth and be seen as a short-sighted move that sacrifices future gains for going all-in this season (Redick reenters free agency after 2020-21).
Aka not something Ainge has ever been known to do.
While the Cs can offer New Orleans cap relief with a deal that includes just draft picks and would create a $13 million trade exception for the Pelicans to use for the next calendar year, there is one trade partner better-suited to fit their needs…
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Pelican Debrief’s Aaron Kellerstrass made some pretty good points in an article about why the 76ers have the best trade package for Redick.
One of them had to do with the reputation of the Pelicans’ franchise:
"With Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pels should be able to attract free agents, especially if they get a reputation of being a good franchise to play for. Part of that is taking care of your veteran players when it comes time to trade them. The Pelicans sent Jrue Holiday to a contender and made sure Anthony Davis got to his preferred team. They should do the same with Redick, as players pay attention to this stuff. Ask the Phoenix Suns, who have a reputation of being a cheap franchise with a bad owner. When was the last time they landed a marquee free agent?"
Another had to do with the possible return:
"The 76ers could offer guys like Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, Terrance Ferguson or Tony Bradley, all players who are young (except Scott) and could interest the Pelicans. The 76ers also have some second-round picks that might look attractive to the New Orleans Pelicans, including one they are getting from the Knicks in 2021."
Simply put, the Sixers are in a better position to wager their future because the Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons duo is at its breaking point. It’s now or never for them to win a title together in the City of Brotherly Love.
That desperation could force Elton Brand to do something more rash than Danny Ainge would ever do when it comes to a Redick deal.