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The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a trade to send Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2 future first-round picks - including the 10th overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, and the 40th pick to Memphis for center Jonas Valanciunas, the 17th overall pick, and the 51st pick.
Adams experienced a dip in production averaging just 7.6 points per game after four consecutive seasons averaging double figures in scoring. He averaged 8.9 rebounds per game but shot a career-worst 44.4 percent from the line.
Bledsoe, who was coming off back-to-back All-Defensive team nods in Milwaukee, had a disappointing season as he was asked to play a different role in the Pelicans' offense. He had the second-lowest shooting percentage of his career (.421) and his lowest scoring average (12.2) since 2012-13.
Valancuinas, 29, isn't a traditional floor spacer but did shoot 21-of-57 from deep (36.8 percent) last season with Memphis. He's also coming off his most productive season after averaging 17.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 59.2 percent overall in just 28.3 minutes a night. He finished third in the league in rebounding and tied for third in the league in double-doubles.
Bledsoe has two years left on his current contract at $18.1 million in 2021-22 and $19.4 million the following season although only $3.9 of that is guaranteed with the full amount triggering on June 30, 2022. Adams is owed $17.9 million in 2022-23. Valancuinas will be paid $15 million this season and $14 million the following year.
Adams experienced a dip in production averaging just 7.6 points per game after four consecutive seasons averaging double figures in scoring. He averaged 8.9 rebounds per game but shot a career-worst 44.4 percent from the line.
Bledsoe, who was coming off back-to-back All-Defensive team nods in Milwaukee, had a disappointing season as he was asked to play a different role in the Pelicans' offense. He had the second-lowest shooting percentage of his career (.421) and his lowest scoring average (12.2) since 2012-13.
Valancuinas, 29, isn't a traditional floor spacer but did shoot 21-of-57 from deep (36.8 percent) last season with Memphis. He's also coming off his most productive season after averaging 17.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 59.2 percent overall in just 28.3 minutes a night. He finished third in the league in rebounding and tied for third in the league in double-doubles.
Bledsoe has two years left on his current contract at $18.1 million in 2021-22 and $19.4 million the following season although only $3.9 of that is guaranteed with the full amount triggering on June 30, 2022. Adams is owed $17.9 million in 2022-23. Valancuinas will be paid $15 million this season and $14 million the following year.