JJ Redick Trade would create more issues than it would for the Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers may be trying to bring an old friend back to town.

Last Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the New Orleans Pelicans were showing “openness to craft debate” including both former guard JJ Redick and fourth-year guard Lonzo Ball . A few days later, Charania noted that the Pelicans had “focused” on the Sixers, Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics as potential Redick catchers.

But as the Sixers did not have large contracts equal to salary and other needs, Redick’s trade would create more problems than he could solve for them.

Redick, a 41.4 percent career three-point shooter, averages just 7.9 points per game this season with 33.6 percent shooting from the field and 29.8 percent from depth. However, he seems to be kicking back considering he had never shot below 36.6 percent from the city center before this season.

Unlike the Nets and Celtics, the Sixers wouldn’t have to wonder about Redick’s concept alongside their stars. He excelled during his two seasons in Philadelphia, averaging career-high scores (17.1 points per game in 2017-18 and 18.1 in 2018-19) while shooting 40.7 percent from range. three points.

Although Redick started all but 13 of his 146 appearances with the Sixers over those two seasons, it is unlikely that he will regain that position if they trade for him. The starting lineup of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Danny Green, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid outscores opponents with 17.1 points per 100 possessions, according to Clean Glass, and the Sixers are 11-0 in. games with that starting line. Why repair something that isn’t broken?

Instead, Redick was likely to come off the bench and siphon minutes from rookie guards Tyrese Maxey and fourth – year swingman Furkan Korkmaz. Maxey delivers a much-needed scoring spark at times, though he only fires 29.5 percent from depth, while Korkmaz fires just 37.5 percent off the field and remains a weak link. waterproof.

But it’s fair to think what level of renewal Redick would have.

At this point in his career, Redick is largely relegated to the chances of catching and slipping on crime. He dropped 47.2 percent of those attempts from the depths of last season, but the Sixers couldn’t rely on him to prove his own fault outside of a dribble hobby with Embiid.

While Korkmaz is a more inconsistent hunter than Redick, he is more of a creative threat, as he showed in the Sixers’ rebound victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

If Redick provided defensive value, it would be a better upgrade than Korkmaz. However, it ‘s the only concern at that end of the floor, to the extent that opponents focus on it consistently throughout the playoffs. (Just ask the Boston Celtics in 2018.)

That should make Redick less of a trading priority for the Sixers, especially with their other needs and the cost of getting it.

The Pelicans are hoping to get a first-round pick for Redick, according to Forbes Sports ’Sean Deveney. However, one general manager at the Eastern Conference told him that teams believe the Pelicans will buy it if they do not move it before the March 25 trade deadline, so “no one wants a young player or selection for give you one they can sign a week after the date has passed. “

Even if the Pelicans reduce their asking price to a second round, the Sixers may find it difficult to collect an attractive trading package.

Because the Sixers are well above the luxury threshold, they can only recover 125 percent of the salary they send out, plus $ 100,000. With Redick earning just over $ 13 million this season, they had to spend at least $ 10.3 million in earnings in trading.

The Sixers could trade Green ($ 15.4 million) for Redick, but that doesn’t make much sense to either side. The Pelicans are about $ 550,000 below the luxury tax line, so it seems they would not want to return it more salary in a Redick contract. And while Green is a climbing hunter, he’s a much better defender than Redick, so it would be likely that the Sixers would want extra compensation in a one-on-one swap.

Outside of their five starters, Mike Scott ($ 5.0 million), Terrance Ferguson ($ 3.9 million) and Tony Bradley ($ 3.5 million) are the Sixers ’next highest earners. If the Sixers are unwilling to include Green in Redick ‘s contract, they may have to field Scott, Ferguson and one other player for salary matching purposes. Ferguson has yet to play outside of waste time and Scott has only played eight games this year due to a knee injury, so none of them would move the needle for the Pelicans.

The Sixers could include Korkmaz in the contract if they expect Redick to put him in the turnout, and put a much-needed shot on the Pelicans roster. However, he is also in the final year of his contract, so he may not have long-term value for them. Would a pack of Scott, Ferguson, Korkmaz and a second-round pick be enough to win Redick’s bid? That depends on what the Celtics and Nets are willing to offer.

The Sixers also need to consider the cost of Redick’s trading opportunity. Securing a few of their end-of-mountain salaries to a higher-paying player would give them more flexibility moving forward – Ferguson and Vincent Poirier come to mind in particular – but they should meet their needs. note.

Head coach Doc Rivers has once again complained of the lack of depth at the 4 with Scott injured, noting how Simmons or Harris get into trouble early on. influencing difficult line decisions. Would they be better off aiming for another big stretch guy who could add more three-point shooting to the second unit? How about an extra bullet creator?

The Sixers have a trade value of nearly $ 8.2 million and $ 4.8 million left over from their taxpayers ’mid-range to spend, so they don’t have to go into any purchases. With a 15-6 record at the Eastern Conference heading into Tuesday, they have less of an incentive to pursue tough contracts compared to non-performing playoff hopes like the Toronto Raptors (8-12), Dallas Mavericks (8-13) and Miami Heat (7-13).

The Sixers are right to do their due diligence and examine Redick’s asking price. But it would not settle any of their main issues, and the depth of their court would give them face (much to Rivers chagrin) if Scott joined the Pelicans.

For now, the Sixers are better off waiting to see how the rest of the trading market develops before pushing the remaining chips in.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats through NBA.com no Basketball reference. All salary information through Spotrac.