The first big trade of the NBA offseason happened this week. Two teams that will be grouped together for some time because of the 2019 draft, made what on the surface seems to be a blockbuster trade. The Pelicans sent Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, the #10, #40 pick and a protected first round pick in 2022 (via LAL) to Memphis for Jonas Valanciunas, the #17 pick and the #51 pick. On the surface it does not seem like a huge trade but pairing Jonas and Zion together in New Orleans could loom large for Zion's development. Besides Jonas the trade revolves around the picks in Thursdays NBA draft, the Grizzlies seem to think their guy will be there at #10 but at this point only the true draft nerds know who they are targeting. Having Steven Adams instead of Jonas will take the ball out of the middle and let their rising stars Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks touch the ball more. As for Bledsoe, I do not see him actually playing for Memphis and he will likely either get bought out or traded with a potential deal including that #10 pick if they can move up higher in the draft. In New Orleans moving on from Bledsoe creates more than $20 million in cap space and also creates room for up and comers like Nickell Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr to have more playing time and to develop some chemistry with Brandon Ingram (pending Free Agency) and Zion Williamson.
If you have been here a while you would know I like how Jonas plays and how could I think he is but I just do not see the Pelicans making the playoffs without some kind of splash signing in free agency, plus losing Lonzo will hurt their ball movement. Trade Grade: B-
The Grizzlies are on the cusp and have been for the last two years. Ja Morant having the ball more is an obvious move and with Justice Winslow coming back from injury the team will only get better. Moving Bledsoe and the #10 pick to get better pick will make my grade go up but for now. Trade Grade: B+
Photo form Clutchpoints.com
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