Why This Trade Makes Sense For The New Orleans Pelicans

While they are currently in 14th in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans are still very much in the playoff picture as they are just 3 games back from being the 8-seed. It is still very early to speculate about the playoffs, but in the Western Conference, with 14 teams having legit playoff aspirations, every game matters a little bit more. 

The Pelicans are currently 4-9 this month and if they replicate their lack of success in February, then their playoff hopes will slowly start to fade away. Zion Williams and Brandon Ingram are legit All-Star candidates and Eric Bledsoe, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart are all key role players, but this team does not have any big-time three-point shooters this year.

JJ Redick has started the season off slow, shooting a career-low 29.8% from three-point range and while he will turn things around eventually, the Pelicans have no time to wait. Trading him for a guy like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is basically the same player as Redick, makes a lot of sense today for the Pelicans. 

Not only is KCP shooting 47.8% from three-point range so far this season, but he is a pretty physical defender as well who could do really well in Stan Van Gundy’s system. The best part about swapping Redick for KCP though from New Orleans perspective is that this move can help them win games now.

Caldwell-Pope has been very efficient for the Lakers early on in the year, whereas JJ Redick has not. Being able to trade Redick and a second-round pick in exchange for KCP, who was a key member of the Lakers championship team last year makes a lot of sense and gives both Zion and Ingram the shooter they can rely on.