What would the Pelicans be looking for in return?
William Guillory, Pelicans beat writer: After their disappointing 7-11 start to the season, the Pelicans are ready to open up more playing time for Lewis Jr. and Alexander-Walker. Adding another young prospect to the mix would be ideal, but we know what David Griffin, the Pelicans’ vice president of basketball operations, values above all: draft equity. Getting another first-round pick to add to their stockpile is probably the main goal in any Redick deal. Are any of these teams ready to give up that kind of haul for a 36-year-old on an expiring contract? That remains to be seen. But as always, Griffin will be looking for a lot in return if he’s sending away another quality veteran.
How Redick would fit in Boston
Jay King, Celtics beat writer: The Celtics could use a veteran wing and they need another shooter. Redick would fill both needs. He’s not the best defender at this stage of his career, but he’s still an elite floor spacer who commands a defense’s attention every time he steps on the court. Such a presence would help Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, and give coach Brad Stevens more offensive-minded lineup options. Redick doesn’t fit Boston’s long-term timeline, but the Celtics are talented enough to dream about winning right now with a few tweaks to the supporting cast.
How Redick would fit in Philadelphia
Derek Bodner, 76ers beat writer: Redick’s fit on the Sixers is pretty straightforward, as we got a firsthand look at how well Redick can complement franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid when the two paired up for successful seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Embiid spent much of the 2019-20 campaign lamenting the loss of Redick, his gravity on the perimeter and the chemistry the two had built. The Sixers replaced some of that shooting when they added Seth Curry, but it’s impossible to have too much perimeter shooting around the league’s preeminent post-up threat. The question is how much Redick still has left in the tank, and how the Sixers would go about matching Redick’s salary.
How Redick would fit in Brooklyn
Alex Schiffer, Nets beat writer: It’s hard to imagine a Nets trade without two things happening. One is Joe Harris being involved in the other end of the deal. They are very similar players, as lethal shooters that are multi-dimensional scorers. The other is a third team. The Nets are essentially out of draft picks to trade except for some second rounders and don’t really have the young appetizing prospects, either, with Nic Claxton injured and Reggie Perry just getting some run. A Redick trade feels like a bit of a reach given Harris’ presence and lack of other assets.
The salary cap question
Danny Leroux, salary cap analyst: The challenge for these contenders is making a legal, workable trade for Redick. That is easy for the Celtics because they have the Gordon Hayward trade exception, but adding Redick basically splits the exception in half, leaving general manager Danny Ainge with Redick and a $15.5 million exception to add someone else down the line.
Since the 76ers and Nets do not have an exception big enough for Redick, they have to send out at least $10.4 million in matching salary. Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey can cobble together Mike Scott and either Terrance Ferguson or Tony Bradley if the Pelicans are interested.
The math is difficult for Brooklyn unless Spencer Dinwiddie is involved. The best way for Redick to join the Nets would be via buyout because GM Sean Marks could use the disabled player exception they have for Dinwiddie. That would require the Pelicans getting no assets in return and likely saving some money instead, giving the Celtics and 76ers a leg up since Griffin would presumably prefer almost anything they have to offer.
(Photo: Kim Klement / USA Today)
