New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Victor Oladipo, HOU 2021 2nd Round Pick
Houston Rockets Receive: G Lonzo Ball, G JJ Redick, LAL 2021 1st Round Pick (via NOP)
Not only does this trade fit the Rockets’ philosophy of “wanting to get younger,” but it also still helps them compete at a high-level. Lonzo Ball has been fantastic this year for the New Orleans Pelicans and is a “do-it-all” kind of player that can impact the game in more ways than just one.
In 27 games for the Pelicans this season, Ball is averaging 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and is shooting 39.1% from three-point range. Whether it is passing, defending, rebounding or scoring, Ball can do it all and can be a fantastic backcourt player to pair with John Wall.
JJ Redick is also an intriguing player who could fit in well in Houston because of their three-point shooting style of play. Redick is one of the best three-point shooters of all-time and while he is on the back-half of his career, he is in the final year of his contract, which would free up nearly $13M in cap space for the Rockets next year.
RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: This Rockets-Pelicans trade is centered on Victor Oladipo
This trade could definitely positively impact the Rockets not only because they get Lonzo Ball from the Pelicans, who can be a franchise point guard for them moving forward, but because they get a valuable first-round pick this year. Even though it is expected to be a late first-round pick in 2021, this would give Houston 4 first-round picks this year.
Not only does this allow them to make a trade with the Pelicans for another high-level talent next offseason, but they could opt to use all four first-round picks to draft high-level, young talents and build a very sustainable core for the future. This trade gives Houston options, something they currently do not have right now and something they could desperately use moving forward.
