What would the Pelicans be looking for in return?
William Guillory, beat writer for PelicansAfter the disappointing 7-11 start to the season, the Pelicans are ready to open up more game time for Lewis Jr. and Alexander-Walker. Adding another young candidate to the mix would be ideal, but we know what David Griffin, the vice president of basketball operations at Pelicans, values above all else: draft equity. Getting another first-round choice to add to inventory is probably the primary goal of any business with Redick. Are any of these teams ready to give up this type of transportation for a 36-year-old with an expiring contract? This remains to be seen. But, as always, Griffin will be looking for a lot in return if he sends 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 sniper. Redick would serve both needs. He is not the best defender at this stage of his career, but he is still an elite player who commands the attention of a defender 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 lineup options. Redick doesn’t fit Boston’s long-term schedule, but the Celtics are talented enough to dream of winning now with some adjustments to the supporting squad.
How Redick would fit in Philadelphia
Derek Bodner, beat writer of the 76ers: The fit of Redick in the Sixers is quite simple, as we saw firsthand how Redick can complement the cornerstone of the Joel Embiid franchise when the two came together for successful seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Embiid spent much of the 2019-20 campaign lamenting Redick’s loss, its gravity on the perimeter and the chemistry the two built. The Sixers replaced some of the shots when they added Seth Curry, but it is impossible to have many perimeter shots around the league’s pre-departure preeminent threat. The question is how much Redick still has in the tank and how the Six would do to match Redick’s salary.
How Redick would fit in Brooklyn
Alex Schiffer, beat writer for Nets: It is difficult to imagine a negotiation on the Nets without two things happening. One of them is Joe Harris involved at the other end of the business. They are very similar players, like lethal snipers who are multidimensional scorers. The other is a third team. The Nets are essentially out of draft options to negotiate, except for some second-round players, and they also lack the youthful and appetizing prospects, with Nic Claxton injured and Reggie Perry just getting a run. A Redick operation seems a bit far-reaching given Harris’ presence and lack of other assets.
The wage cap issue
Danny Leroux, salary cap analyst: The challenge for these contenders is to make a legal and viable trade for Redick. This is easy for the Celtics because they have Gordon Hayward’s switching exception, but adding Redick basically halves the exception, leaving general manager Danny Ainge with Redick and a $ 15.5 million exception to add someone on the line .
Since the 76ers and Nets don’t have an exception big enough for Redick, they need to send at least $ 8 million in matching wages. GM Daryl Morey of Philadelphia can join Mike Scott and Terrance Ferguson or Tony Bradley if the Pelicans are interested.
Mathematics is difficult for Brooklyn, unless Spencer Dinwiddie is involved. The best way for Redick to enter the Nets would be through purchase, because GM Sean Marks could use the disabled player exception that they have for Dinwiddie. This would require the Pelicans to receive no assets in return and probably save some money, giving the Celtics and 76ers an advantage, as Griffin would probably prefer almost everything they have to offer.
(Photo: Kim Klement / USA Today)