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Report: JJ Redick Traded to Mavericks; Pelicans Receive Johnson, Iwundu, More
March 25, 2021
JJ Redick's tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans lasted less than two seasons.
New Orleans is sending Redick and Nicolo Melli to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium and Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Redick was under contract with the Pelicans through the 2020-21 season, so this is a rental move. New Orleans signed him as a veteran presence for a team with a number of promising youngsters.
The Duke product is more than just a leader, though, as he is still on the shortlist of the best shooters in the league. He connected on 45.3 percent of his triples in 2019-20 and has shot 42.0 percent or better in five of the last seven seasons.
While Redick is not someone who can anchor an offense by himself, he plays well alongside others who attract additional defensive attention because of his shooting ability.
As a result, he has averaged 15.0 or more points per game every season since the 2012-13 campaign, when he posted 14.1 for the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks.
However, he has taken a step back this season in a smaller role (18.6 minutes per game) and is averaging 8.7 points per game behind 36.4 percent shooting from three-point range.
Redick will now suit up for his sixth different team since the Magic selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, and his playoff experience could be vital. The 36-year-old has 110 playoff games on his resume and helped lead the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals and 2010 Eastern Conference Finals.
He will now look to add to those totals with his new team, which presents an ideal scenario for the sharp-shooter.
Redick can play off the Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis pairing and should consistently find himself in space given the amount of defensive attention each of them draws. That should lead to plenty of open looks as the Mavericks look to make the playoffs with their new acquisition and challenge the best teams in the Western Conference.