In the latest batch of NBA trade rumors, former #1 pick Derrick Rose could be reunited with his old head coach if the Detroit Pistons trade him to the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans put JJ Redick and Lonzo Ball on the trading block in a move that will free up playing time for their younger players.
The NBA trade deadline is in March, but there are a couple of significant dates approaching that will give general managers wiggle room. In 10 days, anyone who signed a free-agent contract in the offseason can officially be traded on Feb. 6.
JJ Redick is best known these days for having one of the best basketball podcasts on the interwebs. Redick and his co-host, Tommy Alter, enjoyed success at The Ringer for a couple of years before starting their own podcasting company called ThreeFourTwo Productions.
| NBA TRADE RUMORS: ON THE BLOCK |
- Lonzo Ball (New Orleans Pelicans)
- JJ Redick (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Derrick Rose (Detroit Pistons)
- Kelly Oubre, Jr. (Golden State Warriors)
The Pelicans acquired Lonzo Ball in a mega-trade with the LA Lakers that sent Anthony Davis from New Orleans to Hollywood. The Lakers drafted Ball with the #2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The eldest of the three Ball brothers, Lonzo played a one-and-done season with UCLA before he declared for the NBA Draft. The Lakers took a flier on Lonzo with the second pick before packaging him for AD.
Lonzo Ball Era Ends in New Orleans?
The Pelicans are 5-10 this season during a rebuilding year under new head coach, Stan Van Gundy. The team wants to rebuild around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. The Pels also have a couple of young guards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis, that they’d like to get more playing time.
Ball has stellar passing skills and he’s evolved into a strong defender. His overall offense is suspect, especially his long-range shooting. He’s shooting a career-low 29.1% from 3-point range. Ball averages 12 points and 4.7 assists per game this season.
The Pelicans are interested in Kelly Oubre to the team, while the Warriors could use a passer/defender like Ball.
Redick Dunzo?
Redick, 36, is a former Duke product. The Orlando Magic selected Redick with the #11 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. He spent 6.5 seasons with the Magic before they traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. He also started for four seasons with the LA Clippers between 2013 and 2017. Redick spent two seasons as a starter with the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Pelicans last season. He started 36 games last year, but mostly came off the bench, averaging 15.3 ppg.
Redick’s playing time has dropped off substantially under Van Gundy. He averages 8.1 points per game in just 20 minutes of floor time. Reddick is in the last year of his contract that pays him $13.1 million per season. He’s currently ranked #15 on the NBA all-time 3-point shooting list.
Redick launched his podcast in 2015, and it quickly became a favorite among NBA players who believe Redick finally gave them a platform on which to discuss real issues, instead of whatever storylines the talking heads on ESPN or other sports platforms were pushing. In 2017, Bill Simmons invited Redick to join The Ringer as Simmons sought to expand his podcasting empire.
Redick recently sat down with Julius Irving for a chat about his old ABA days.
D-Rose MSG Reprise?
Rose, 32, is a 13-year veteran. He’s a former #1 pick out of Memphis from the 2008 NBA Draft. He had some of his best seasons with the Chicago Bulls before he blew out his knee.
Rose played under head coach Tom Thibodeau during Thibs’ tenure with the Chicago Bulls. During those five years with Thibs, the Bulls qualified for the playoffs each season. Rose and Thibs went 23-28 in the postseason, but only got as far as the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2011 playoffs.
D-Rose currently comes off the bench for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 14.8 ppg. The Pistons (4-13) are a sh-tshow this season as one of the worst teams in the NBA. Only the Washington Wizards have fewer wins than the Pistons.
Rose played one season with the New York Knicks in 2016-17. He started 64 games and averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists per game. That was the last time D-Rose was a full-time starter. The injury-plagued Rose started only 35 games since the 2017-18 season, and played with the Cleveland Cavs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Pistons.
