4 players who should be on the Trail Blazers trade deadline wishlist
JJ Redick
Sharp shooter J.J. Redick may be just the bench piece this team needs. One of the best shooters in the league for the last ten years, he is on the first year of a two-year, $30 million contract. He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down with age as far as his efficiency goes, as he has equalled the highest true shooting percentage of his career this season. With Zion Williamson potentially out for the season, the New Orleans Pelicans may look to trade all of their veterans and embrace their young core instead.
Redick is a great locker room presence and would provide the type of élite spacing that most teams can’t boast on their benches. Redick is the consummate professional and has made the playoffs every year of his thirteen season career. He is a master at coming off screens and would attract attention from the oppositions guards that would open the floor up significantly for teammates.
Redick has a player option on his second season, this could would work well for the Blazers as they could get him to opt in and then bring him back the following year. Or if they could get him to agree to a longer deal they could instead get him to opt out, then use the mid level exception to bring him back on $8 or $9 million a year. Redick has great value in the league but potentially the Blazers wouldn’t have to give up significant assets as they would be helping the Pelicans clear salary. A trade of Kent Bazemore and a second round pick could be enough to get the job done.
If they think Redick is worth re-signing long term then maybe more assets could be attached though.