Pelicans Acquire Jonas Valanciunas for Adams, Bledsoe, picks

[gouki88]

I kinda hate that deal for Memphis… though it depends on what they do with that #10 pick.  They give up the best player in the deal (JV was quietly their best player for much of last season) and also take on a significant chunk of salary for two seasons. 

Really like it for NOP though.

Yeah, it's a strange trade for Memphis.

Apparently they are targeting Josh Giddey (Celtics should have been too).

It is a great trade for Memphis and demonstrations that their front office has become the new Spurs, in working between the lines as a elite small market franchise.

The Grizzlies get the 10th pick and a 22 Lakers pick that could actually been great depending on Davis & James’ health.

Valanciunas didn’t fit their timeline anyway and would most likely have left at the end of his contract. Adams is a great culture guy and will look better defensively next to Jackson Jr. instead of Zion. Bledsoe on his day can be a borderline two way talent and he only has two years remaining on his deal if he isn’t.

This is a bad deal for New Orleans & shows that Griffin is overrated as a GM…especially when you remember they only resigned Adams to that stupidly massive deal last season.

Why is Adams' stupidly massive deal only mentioned when criticising New Orleans, but for Memphis he's a 'great culture guy'?

[Ed Monix]

I kinda hate that deal for Memphis… though it depends on what they do with that #10 pick.  They give up the best player in the deal (JV was quietly their best player for much of last season) and also take on a significant chunk of salary for two seasons. 

Really like it for NOP though.

Yeah, it's a strange trade for Memphis.

Apparently they are targeting Josh Giddey (Celtics should have been too).

It is a great trade for Memphis and demonstrations that their front office has become the new Spurs, in working between the lines as a elite small market franchise.

The Grizzlies get the 10th pick and a 22 Lakers pick that could actually been great depending on Davis & James’ health.

Valanciunas didn’t fit their timeline anyway and would most likely have left at the end of his contract. Adams is a great culture guy and will look better defensively next to Jackson Jr. instead of Zion. Bledsoe on his day can be a borderline two way talent and he only has two years remaining on his deal if he isn’t.

This is a bad deal for New Orleans & shows that Griffin is overrated as a GM…especially when you remember they only resigned Adams to that stupidly massive deal last season.

Why is Adams' stupidly massive deal only mentioned when criticising New Orleans, but for Memphis he's a 'great culture guy'?

Because Memphis aren’t on the same timeline clock as New Orleans. Zion is rumoured to be unhappy already and they’ve yet to get close to making the playoffs.

Memphis gets rewarded for that dumb contract by getting the 10th pick in a deep draft.

Griffin gave Adams that dumb deal, even with the knowledge that Zion can’t spread the floor nor hit a high percentage of free throws, where as in Memphis JJJ is the exact opposite. In fact playing in Memphis might be Adams best situational fit of his career.

[colincb]

Bobby Marks@BobbyMarks42·1h

Because of the salary involved with all three players, this is the type of trade that cannot be finalized until August 6. The Grizzlies would need to decline the team option of Justise Winslow to make the money work and take Adams and Bledsoe back into room.

[colincb]

ESPN has a piece up on this trade.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31891102/memphis-grizzlies-trade-jonas-valanciunas-new-orleans-pelicans-steven-adams-eric-bledsoe-sources-say

[gouki88]

I kinda hate that deal for Memphis… though it depends on what they do with that #10 pick.  They give up the best player in the deal (JV was quietly their best player for much of last season) and also take on a significant chunk of salary for two seasons. 

Really like it for NOP though.

Yeah, it's a strange trade for Memphis.

Apparently they are targeting Josh Giddey (Celtics should have been too).

It is a great trade for Memphis and demonstrations that their front office has become the new Spurs, in working between the lines as a elite small market franchise.

The Grizzlies get the 10th pick and a 22 Lakers pick that could actually been great depending on Davis & James’ health.

Valanciunas didn’t fit their timeline anyway and would most likely have left at the end of his contract. Adams is a great culture guy and will look better defensively next to Jackson Jr. instead of Zion. Bledsoe on his day can be a borderline two way talent and he only has two years remaining on his deal if he isn’t.

This is a bad deal for New Orleans & shows that Griffin is overrated as a GM…especially when you remember they only resigned Adams to that stupidly massive deal last season.

Why is Adams' stupidly massive deal only mentioned when criticising New Orleans, but for Memphis he's a 'great culture guy'?

Because Memphis aren’t on the same timeline clock as New Orleans. Zion is rumoured to be unhappy already and they’ve yet to get close to making the playoffs. Memphis gets rewarded for that dumb contract by getting the 10th pick in a deep draft.

Griffin gave Adams that dumb deal, even with the knowledge that Zion can’t spread the floor nor hit a high percentage of free throws, where as in Memphis JJJ is the exact opposite.

I don't think it really matters if Zion is unhappy. He's on his rookie deal, he's basically stuck there until year 8 of his career.

It was a dumb deal, but JJJ was also playing most of his minutes at the 5 over the last two seasons (in which he played 68 games total - horrible injury risk). I guess hoping Clarke remembers how to shoot is their hope with that. I think they should move Kyle Anderson for a more trigger happy shooter to balance out Morant, Clarke and Adams.

If New Orleans can nab Lowry as a result of this deal then it's a huge win. But getting out of the $72,503,000 owed to those two is a huge win.

[Ed Monix]

I kinda hate that deal for Memphis… though it depends on what they do with that #10 pick.  They give up the best player in the deal (JV was quietly their best player for much of last season) and also take on a significant chunk of salary for two seasons. 

Really like it for NOP though.

Yeah, it's a strange trade for Memphis.

Apparently they are targeting Josh Giddey (Celtics should have been too).

It is a great trade for Memphis and demonstrations that their front office has become the new Spurs, in working between the lines as a elite small market franchise.

The Grizzlies get the 10th pick and a 22 Lakers pick that could actually been great depending on Davis & James’ health.

Valanciunas didn’t fit their timeline anyway and would most likely have left at the end of his contract. Adams is a great culture guy and will look better defensively next to Jackson Jr. instead of Zion. Bledsoe on his day can be a borderline two way talent and he only has two years remaining on his deal if he isn’t.

This is a bad deal for New Orleans & shows that Griffin is overrated as a GM…especially when you remember they only resigned Adams to that stupidly massive deal last season.

Why is Adams' stupidly massive deal only mentioned when criticising New Orleans, but for Memphis he's a 'great culture guy'?

Because Memphis aren’t on the same timeline clock as New Orleans. Zion is rumoured to be unhappy already and they’ve yet to get close to making the playoffs. Memphis gets rewarded for that dumb contract by getting the 10th pick in a deep draft.

Griffin gave Adams that dumb deal, even with the knowledge that Zion can’t spread the floor nor hit a high percentage of free throws, where as in Memphis JJJ is the exact opposite.

I don't think it really matters if Zion is unhappy. He's on his rookie deal, he's basically stuck there until year 8 of his career.

It was a dumb deal, but JJJ was also playing most of his minutes at the 5 over the last two seasons (in which he played 68 games total - horrible injury risk). I guess hoping Clarke remembers how to shoot is their hope with that. I think they should move Kyle Anderson for a more trigger happy shooter to balance out Morant, Clarke and Adams.

If New Orleans can nab Lowry as a result of this deal then it's a huge win. But getting out of the $72,503,000 owed to those two is a huge win.

For New Orleans it's huge.

If Zion goes, it may be the final nail in the coffin for the city, as the franchise would most likely get sold and moved.

What is also troubling is that Zion's jersey wasn't in the top sellers this season which could mean a lack of exposure and success, so essentially Zion could simply tell the team he intends take the qualifying offer in 2023 and walk in 2024, because in the long term taking a hit on his wages could make him more from endorsements in New York, Atlanta or San Fransisco.

In regards to playing Jackson Jr at the 5, it may make more sense to play him at forward next to a bruiser like Adams to preserve his body until he fills out more.

[footey]

This just underscores Griffin mistake trading for Adams in first place. I think he better produce soon or will get canned. Unimpressed.

[footey]

Hope we grab Winslow somehow. But I fear he will wind up back in Miami.

[gouki88]

I kinda hate that deal for Memphis… though it depends on what they do with that #10 pick.  They give up the best player in the deal (JV was quietly their best player for much of last season) and also take on a significant chunk of salary for two seasons. 

Really like it for NOP though.

Yeah, it's a strange trade for Memphis.

Apparently they are targeting Josh Giddey (Celtics should have been too).

It is a great trade for Memphis and demonstrations that their front office has become the new Spurs, in working between the lines as a elite small market franchise.

The Grizzlies get the 10th pick and a 22 Lakers pick that could actually been great depending on Davis & James’ health.

Valanciunas didn’t fit their timeline anyway and would most likely have left at the end of his contract. Adams is a great culture guy and will look better defensively next to Jackson Jr. instead of Zion. Bledsoe on his day can be a borderline two way talent and he only has two years remaining on his deal if he isn’t.

This is a bad deal for New Orleans & shows that Griffin is overrated as a GM…especially when you remember they only resigned Adams to that stupidly massive deal last season.

Why is Adams' stupidly massive deal only mentioned when criticising New Orleans, but for Memphis he's a 'great culture guy'?

Because Memphis aren’t on the same timeline clock as New Orleans. Zion is rumoured to be unhappy already and they’ve yet to get close to making the playoffs. Memphis gets rewarded for that dumb contract by getting the 10th pick in a deep draft.

Griffin gave Adams that dumb deal, even with the knowledge that Zion can’t spread the floor nor hit a high percentage of free throws, where as in Memphis JJJ is the exact opposite.

I don't think it really matters if Zion is unhappy. He's on his rookie deal, he's basically stuck there until year 8 of his career.

It was a dumb deal, but JJJ was also playing most of his minutes at the 5 over the last two seasons (in which he played 68 games total - horrible injury risk). I guess hoping Clarke remembers how to shoot is their hope with that. I think they should move Kyle Anderson for a more trigger happy shooter to balance out Morant, Clarke and Adams.

If New Orleans can nab Lowry as a result of this deal then it's a huge win. But getting out of the $72,503,000 owed to those two is a huge win.

For New Orleans it's huge.

If Zion goes, it may be the final nail in the coffin for the city, as the franchise would most likely get sold and moved.

What is also troubling is that Zion's jersey wasn't in the top sellers this season which could mean a lack of exposure and success, so essentially Zion could simply tell the team he intends take the qualifying offer in 2023 and walk in 2024, because in the long term taking a hit on his wages could make him more from endorsements in New York, Atlanta or San Fransisco.

In regards to playing Jackson Jr at the 5, it may make more sense to play him at forward next to a bruiser like Adams to preserve his body until he fills out more.

What do you mean 'if Zion goes'? I am incredibly sceptical of him doing that, especially considering he's already making $75m from his shoe deal. It's an incredibly long bow to draw to think him being unhappy as a sophomore, when New Orleans failed to meet expectations, is going to make him leave in 2 years time. A lot can change from now to then. Shedding salary tied up in guys who don't perform up to their wage is a good first step.
Zion became somewhat forgotten about this season after endless coverage his rookie season. I think that would be partially to blame for lacklustre sales.

I think that New Orleans should be sold anyway - Seattle deserves that team. But I think it's jumping the gun quite a lot to assume that Zion is on his way out because of second-year grumblings.

Maybe. I'm down on JJJ as a whole. I think he's going to struggle to find a starting position given that he can neither rebound nor pass.

[Roy H.]

This just underscores Griffin mistake trading for Adams in first place. I think he better produce soon or will get canned. Unimpressed.

Yeah, it’s never a great feeling to trade a first rounder for a guy one year, and then have to give up a first rounder the next to shed his contract.

[jambr380]

Don't love this trade for NOP, but I guess they want to make sure they can match any Lonzo offer. Two 1sts (including the #10) is a lot to give up for very little talent upgrade, but they do save on salary.

MEM did really well here - how could they say no to this deal? And for Cs fans afraid of losing Fournier. Our biggest competition just got taken out of the running with all the salary MEM is taking on.

[pearljammer10]

This is a no brainer deal for NOP. I’m shocked to see people state otherwise.

Bledsoe is atrocious. I’m fine with Adams but they replace his with JVal who is better. All at the expense of dropping down just 7 spots. What a win trade wise.

Interesting for Memphis. Rumors has it that a) Bledsoe won’t be staying in Memphis and b) they want to use ten to move up even farther.

[Moranis]

This just underscores Griffin mistake trading for Adams in first place. I think he better produce soon or will get canned. Unimpressed.

Yeah, it’s never a great feeling to trade a first rounder for a guy one year, and then have to give up a first rounder the next to shed his contract.

It is hard to say what they actually gave up to acquire Adams since it was a 4 team trade.

For recap the trade was

NO - Adams, Bledsoe, 25 and 27 1st's (MIL), 24 and 26 swaps (MIL)
MIL - Holiday, Merrill, 60th pick (NO)
OKC - Hill, 23 DEN 1st, Cheatham, Gray, Miller, Williams, 23 and 24 2nd's (NO)
DEN - Hampton, 24th pick (MIL)

So what was the 1st round pick they gave up for Adams?

[Roy H.]

This just underscores Griffin mistake trading for Adams in first place. I think he better produce soon or will get canned. Unimpressed.

Yeah, it’s never a great feeling to trade a first rounder for a guy one year, and then have to give up a first rounder the next to shed his contract.

It is hard to say what they actually gave up to acquire Adams since it was a 4 team trade.

For recap the trade was

NO - Adams, Bledsoe, 25 and 27 1st's (MIL), 24 and 26 swaps (MIL)
MIL - Holiday, Merrill, 60th pick (NO)
OKC - Hill, 23 DEN 1st, Cheatham, Gray, Miller, Williams, 23 and 24 2nd's (NO)
DEN - Hampton, 24th pick (MIL)

So what was the 1st round pick they gave up for Adams?

As I recall, Milwaukee's #1 (24th, from Indiana) was originally going to the Pelicans.  Instead, that got folded into the 4-way deal.  OKC ended up with a future Denver pick as compensation for Adams; that future Denver pick was acquired for the rights to Hampton.

Here's how Woj originally reported the deal:

As part of the trade for Holiday, Milwaukee is sending New Orleans a package that includes Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and three first-round picks (a 2020 first from Indiana and unprotected firsts in 2025 and 2027), sources said.

The trade also includes a pair of first-round pick swaps (in 2024 and 2026) and will ultimately amount to something similar to what the Pelicans received from the Lakers last season in the deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles.

So, the cost was indeed that first rounder. 

[Moranis]

This just underscores Griffin mistake trading for Adams in first place. I think he better produce soon or will get canned. Unimpressed.

Yeah, it’s never a great feeling to trade a first rounder for a guy one year, and then have to give up a first rounder the next to shed his contract.

It is hard to say what they actually gave up to acquire Adams since it was a 4 team trade.

For recap the trade was

NO - Adams, Bledsoe, 25 and 27 1st's (MIL), 24 and 26 swaps (MIL)
MIL - Holiday, Merrill, 60th pick (NO)
OKC - Hill, 23 DEN 1st, Cheatham, Gray, Miller, Williams, 23 and 24 2nd's (NO)
DEN - Hampton, 24th pick (MIL)

So what was the 1st round pick they gave up for Adams?

As I recall, Milwaukee's #1 (24th, from Indiana) was originally going to the Pelicans.  Instead, that got folded into the 4-way deal.  OKC ended up with a future Denver pick as compensation for Adams; that future Denver pick was acquired for the rights to Hampton.

Here's how Woj originally reported the deal:

As part of the trade for Holiday, Milwaukee is sending New Orleans a package that includes Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and three first-round picks (a 2020 first from Indiana and unprotected firsts in 2025 and 2027), sources said.

The trade also includes a pair of first-round pick swaps (in 2024 and 2026) and will ultimately amount to something similar to what the Pelicans received from the Lakers last season in the deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles.

So, the cost was indeed that first rounder.

Maybe, but they also would have had George Hill who was worthless for them.  Perhaps they gave up that first to unload Hill.  They also didn't give up a 1st round pick to unload Adams, as there are a lot of pieces in that trade, including acquiring a player better than Adams and getting rid of Bledsoe's big contract. 

Adams obviously didn't work out, but I don't think the characterization of those moves has been entirely accurate either.