Sources: Grizzlies to ship Valanciunas to Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a alternate to ship Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe and two future first-spherical picks — alongside with the 10th overall make a choice in Thursday’s NBA draft — to the Memphis Grizzlies for middle Jonas Valanciunas and the 17th overall make a choice, sources suggested ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Definite to create critical monetary flexibility in free agency subsequent week, the Pelicans are alongside with the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2022 first-spherical make a choice — safe to 10 — within the alternate, sources stated. Memphis (51) and New Orleans (40) are additionally exchanging second-spherical picks in Thursday’s draft, sources stated.

The deal moves the Grizzlies into the lottery at No. 10 of a deep 2021 draft and enables them to add one other critical portion to an already playoff tested core of younger gamers. Memphis might per chance well additionally own three first-spherical picks in 2022, alongside with safe picks via the Utah Jazz and the Lakers.

New Orleans has the salary-cap teach now to verify a proposal sheet for restricted-free-agent guard Lonzo Ball, or pursue unrestricted free agent level guards within the marketplace, alongside with passe All-Indispensable person Kyle Lowry. The Pelicans are additionally working to resign restricted free agent Josh Hart.

The Pelicans might per chance well additionally own as much as $36 million in salary-cap teach, within the occasion that they had been to lose Ball and Hart. The room would tumble to $25 million if Ball left, but Hart stayed.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks distinguished that thanks to the salary concerned — $14 million for Valanciunas, $17.1 million for Adams and $18.1 million for Bledsoe — the alternate can’t be finalized until Aug. 6, when free agency begins.

The Pelicans brought in Bledsoe and Adams last offseason within the alternate that despatched Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks. New Orleans signed Adams to a two-year, $35 million extension presently after.

Bledsoe, who was coming off attend-to-attend All-Defensive group nods in Milwaukee, had a disappointing season as he was requested to play a determined feature within the Pelicans’ offense. He had the second-lowest taking pictures percentage of his occupation (.421) and his lowest scoring moderate (12.2) since 2012-13.

A more feeble gargantuan who does no longer incessantly step out past the arc, Adams additionally experienced a dip in production averaging merely 7.6 aspects per game after four consecutive seasons averaging double figures in scoring. He averaged 8.9 rebounds per game but shot a occupation-worst 44.4% from the road.

Valanciunas, 29, is most doubtless no longer a feeble flooring spacer but did shoot 21-of-57 from deep (36.8%) last season with Memphis.

He is additionally coming off his finest season after averaging 17.1 aspects and 12.5 rebounds per game whereas taking pictures a occupation-handiest 59.2% overall in precisely 28.3 minutes an night.

Valanciunas accomplished third within the league in rebounding last season and second in offensive rebounds per game (4.1) — two spots sooner than Adams. He was additionally tied for third within the league in double-doubles (49) merely within the attend of Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook.

Bledsoe has two years left on his fresh contract at $18.1 million in 2021-22 and $19.4 million the following season, even though handiest $3.9 of that is guaranteed with the paunchy quantity triggering on June 30, 2022. Adams is owed $17.9 million in 2022-23. Valanciunas will be paid $14 million this season and $14 million the following year.

Memphis swapped both of its picks in this year’s draft, whereas the Pelicans soundless own four second-spherical picks as a result of they soundless own No. 35, No. 43 and No. 53 to partner with the make a choice they swapped with the Grizzlies.