NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans Firm On Keeping Veteran Guard Unless Price Is Right

The names that could be moved before the NBA trade deadline are swelling and the latest is J.J. Redick of the New Orleans Pelicans. With playoff-bound teams looking to reinforce their backcourt, the 35-year-old is seen as someone could help. The bad news is that the Pels are not interested.

According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, several teams have inquired with New Orleans about the 6-foot-3 guard. The Pelicans have no immediate plans of dangling Reddick for now even though they are outside of playoff contention.

The Pelicans are 20-30 in the NBA Western Conference and could still catch the last bus to the NBA playoffs. However, that may not be the prime reason why New Orleans plans on keeping the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft.

Despite his age, Redick has proven to be reliable this 2019-20 NBA season. He has played 45 games this season, holding averages of 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists, per Basketball-Reference.com. However, it is Redick's ability to hit it from outside that makes him tempting to consider. He is shooting 43.2-percent from the field and even better from down deep with a 46.4-percent clip.

Redick signed a two-year deal with the Pelicans in the offseason worth $26.5 million. He missed some games in the first few months but has gotten into the groove. But like other scenarios, a Redick trade could still happen if the offer is too good to resist.

Several teams could use someone who can light it up outside like Redick. Among the teams who could use him include the Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Both could use added firepower from the outside to compliment their big men in the middle. Of the two however, it appears the Sixers loom as a better fit.

It is no secret that Philly is in dire need of shooters to help out on offense. They do have players like Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, but both operate mostly inside.

Another team most feel would go after Redick are the Los Angeles Lakers. Though the purple and gold already looks formidable, adding another shooter would not hurt. However, there is the question of who they can dangle. It is unlikely they will send Kyle Kuzma, the Laker who has been frequently mentioned in NBA trade rumors.