This trade is the calm before the storm leading up to draft night, where teams will make a flurry of trades. Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Memphis Grizzlies are sending Jonas Valanciunas and the number 17 and 51 picks to the Pelicans in exchange for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, and the number 10 and 40 pick along with a protected 2022 first-round pick via the Lakers.
BREAKING: Memphis is finalizing a trade to send Jonas Valanciunas and 2021 Nos. 17 and 51 picks to New Orleans for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2021 picks Nos. 10 and 40 and a protected 2022 first-round pick via the Lakers, sources tell ESPN.
The Grizzlies get to move up into the lottery and in the second round for taking on the Adams and Bledsoe deals. The implication for this move is that someone they have their eyes on might not be available by the 17th pick. Jonathan Wasserman reports that the player is Josh Giddey, a 6’8 Australian playmaker.
Giddey gives the Grizzlies another ball-handler besides Morant. However, I am not as high on Giddey as a lead initiator. His handle is pretty simple and mainly uses change of pace and a simple front crossover to get by a guy, which might not work well on an NBA level. He’s best suited as a secondary playmaker who can attack second-side action, but the issue is, Giddey isn’t a consistent shooter. His shot has no dip, which leads to no rhythm and more of a heave than a shot. He may need to rework his shot to become a better shooter. He also has a slight frame which hurts him on drives, finishes, and defense.
While the shot and frame are a concern, Giddey’s feel for the game is undeniable. He made some slick passes in the NBL using ball manipulation and placed them perfectly. While he may lack some areas like shooting, defense, and ball handling, those things can be improved upon. Giddey also has ideal length at 6’8.
Bledose and Adams
Bledsoe isn’t expected to remain in Memphis per Chris Haynes.
Adams will likely take that starting center spot that Valanciunas occupied. He’s a strong rebounder that can make up for Jaren Jackson Jr.’s lack of defensive rebounding. His game has also grown over the past few years, where he’s become a solid passer, and the Grizzlies could run some offense through him. There have also been clips of him working in Los Angeles with NBA trainer, Olin Simplis, on shooting some threes. So there’s a possibility there where he can take some pick and pops or space the corner.
Lastly, the Grizzlies bring in another future first from the Lakers that probably will be a late-first, but it’s still another asset they have.
In this deal, the Pelicans created cap space that they once had last year before signing Steven Adams and acquiring Eric Bledsoe. Now they lose some value in order to free themselves up.
Now, they have more leeway to bring back Lonzo Ball or Josh Hart. It would be hard to justify having a tax-payer team or near tax-payer team that wasn’t close to making the playoffs last season.
The Pelicans already have many young prospects like Jaxon Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kira Lewis, who had solid seasons last year. However, Adams and Bledsoe took minutes in the rotation, so they couldn’t always get consistent minutes.
The Pels can afford to slide down a few spots since their needs aren’t as high to acquire talent. With Zion Williamson emerging as a star, cap flexibility is more important to bring in some quality talent. Don’s sleep on the 17th pick, though. There is some non-lottery value in this draft. Cam Thomas and Corey Kispert could be solid picks to bring some more shooting. They could also take a flyer on Jalen Johnson.
Valanciunas is a better fit for the Pelicans than Adams. He isn’t a true spacer, but he can make a few pick and pop threes and take some mid-range shots. The spacing with him is a little better with Zion Williamson than with Steven Adams. His deal is also more affordable at a front-loaded $15 million contract. The Pelicans also can get off his deal a year earlier than Adams.
The Pelicans also get off the Bledsoe deal and insert Alexander-Walker into the starting lineup for more shooting. They could also sign a player in free agency who can set the table and run some pick and roll.
The Pelicans cap sheet is a lot cleaner, and they have room to resign Ball or Hart and bring in another free agent to build around Zion.
So far, this trade seems beneficial for both sides.
