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New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies Trade Multiple Players and Draft Picks
Introduction
On Monday, July 26, 2021 the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies have announced that they have agreed upon a blockbuster National Basketball Association trade. The New Orleans Pelican are trading veteran center Steven Adams, point guard Eric Bledsoe, 2 future first – round selections in the NBA draft which includes the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2022 first – round pick protected to 10 to the Memphis Grizzlies. The 2021 NBA Draft is scheduled to occur on Thursday, July 29th, 2021.
In exchange the New Orleans Pelicans will receive the veteran center Jonas Valanciunas and the 17th overall selection in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans have also agreed to swap their second- round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft this Thursday. This trade between these two NBA franchises has been agreed upon, but the deal will be finalized as well as made official on Friday, August 6th, 2021 when the free agency period of the National Basketball Association formerly begins.
Trade Clears Salary Cap Space for New Orleans Pelicans
This trade serves the purpose of clearing salary cap room for the New Orleans Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans currently have 2 restricted free agents in Lonzo Ball as well as Josh Hart. They are hoping to resign these players, but if they are unable or unwilling to match the offers that Ball and Hart receive from other teams in the free agency market then they will have plenty of salary cap space to go out and sign other free agents such as possibly making a deal with the veteran NBA All – Star in Kyle Lowry. Lowry is an unrestricted free agent this NBA offseason, and many people believe that he would be a great fit with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Adam’s Biographical Information
Adams is currently a 6 – foot 11 – inch center that has played for the Wellington Saints in 2011, the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2013 to 2020, the New Orleans Pelicans from 2020 to 2021, and now he joins the exciting Memphis Grizzlies who feature the young and highly – talented star guard in Ja Morant. Steven was born in New Zealand, and he attended the University of Pittsburgh to play NCAA college basketball for the Pitt Panthers from 2012 to 2013.
Adams was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 12th overall pick in the first – round of the 2013 NBA Draft. Throughout his 8 – year career in the National Basketball Association Adams has averaged 9.6 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, and his career field goal percentage is 59.1 %.
Adams’ Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
Throughout his basketball career Steven Adams has racked up a variety of achievements, honors, and awards including: NBA All – Rookie Second – Team in 2014, NBL champion in 2011, NBL Rookie of the Year in 2011, and he was also named to the Big East All – Rookie Team in 2013.
Bledsoe’s Biographical Information
This 6 – foot 0 – inch point guard was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He played his NCAA college basketball career at the University of Kentucky where he played from 2009 to 2010. Bledsoe was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 18th overall pick in the first – round of the 2010 NBA Draft.
Eric has played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2010 to 2013, the Phoenix Suns from 2013 to 2017, the Milwaukee Bucks from 2017 to 2020, and now he joins the New Orleans Pelicans for the upcoming 2021 – 2022 NBA season. Bledsoe has averaged 14.0 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game, and he has shot 45.3 % from the field throughout his 11 – year NBA career.
Bledsoe’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
Throughout his basketball career Eric Bledsoe has compiled a variety of achievements, honors, and awards including: NBA All – Defensive First – Team in 2019, NBA All – Defensive Second – Team in 2020, NBA All – Rookie Second – Team in 2011, and he was named to the SEC All – Rookie Team in 2010.
Valanciunas’ Biographical Information
Valanciunas is a 6 – foot 11 – inch center who is native to Lithuania. Jonas has played for the Perlas Vilnius from 2008 to 2010, the Lietuvos rytas Vilnius from 2010 to 2012, the Toronto Raptors from 2012 to 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies from 2019 to 2021, and he now joins the New Orleans Pelicans for the upcoming 2021 – 2022 NBA season. Throughout his 9 – year NBA career Valanciunas has averaged 12.9 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, and he has shot 56.6 % from the field.
Valanciunas’ Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
Throughout his basketball career Jonas Valanciunas has put together quite a list of various achievements, honors, and awards including: NBA All – Rookie Second – Team in 2013,
LKL champion in 2010, 2 time LKL Most Improved Player in 2011 and 2012, LKL MVP award in 2012, LKL Player of the Year in 2012, 2 time LKL blocks leader in 2011 and 2012, VTB United League rebounding leader in 2012, 3 time LKL All – Defensive Team in 2010, 2011, and 2012, LKF Cup winner in 2010, 3 time LKL All – Star in 2010, 2011, and 2012, 2 time LKL All – Star Game MVP in 2011 and 2012, 4 time Lithuanian Player of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2017, 2 time FIBA Young Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012, All – Euro Cup First – Team in 2012, Euro Cup Rising Star award in 2012, and he was named the FIBA Under – 19 World Cup MVP in 2011.
Sources:
“Memphis Grizzlies to trade Jonas Valanciunas to New Orleans Pelicans for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, sources say”, Andrew Lopez, Adrian Wojnarowski, espn.com, July 26, 2021.
“Steven Adams”, basketball-reference.com, July 26, 2021.
“Eric Bledsoe”, basketball-reference.com, July 26, 2021.
“Jonas Valanciunas”, basketball-reference.com, July 26, 2021.