NBA Trade Deadline: The trade each team must make

May 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) and center Kendrick Perkins (5) watch the game against the Memphis Grizzlies from the bench during the second half of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Luke Ridnour (13) calls a play as he dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Pelican DeBrief (New Orleans Pelicans)

New Orleans sends John Salmons, draft pick to Orlando for Luke Ridnour

The New Orleans Pelicans can really use a backup point guard that they can trust to run an offense for however long that Jrue Holiday is out with a stress reaction in his right leg.

While Ridnour isn’t a spectacular option he would give the team just that.
Since Holiday’s injury the Pelicans have used a combination of Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon, Nate Wolters and Jimmer Fredette to handle the point guard duties on offense though there are problems with all of them.

Evans is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, but it remains to be seen if it can hold up. Asking him to shoulder this big of an offensive load for an extended period of time is also worrisome due to his injury history.

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Gordon also has a history of being injured but by putting him on the ball the Pelicans lose one of the few spot-up, floor spacing threats on the roster.

New Orleans has already moved on from Wolters who was solid though unspectacular in his 20 day stint as a Pelican and Monty Williams has tried to bench Jimmer by any means necessary.
By adding Ridnour the Pelicans add a player who can help run things on offense by making the simple play, something that will go a long way with the second unit. With Ryan Anderson entrenched as the go-to weapon off the bench and Williams staggering rotations Ridnour would be asked to initiate things and knock down shots, two things he can do. In fact that career 35.1 percent mark from three-point land is the perfect fit for New Orleans in a backup point guard.

The biggest win for the Pelicans though is the cost. New Orleans doesn’t really have any assets to throw at Orlando but with the Magic wanting to get minutes for their young players, offering them the salary relief of Salmons and the second round pick the Pelicans got from Memphis may be enough to make things work. The Pelicans won’t get a huge difference maker but for the price Ridnour can be a nice addition.

Next: Dallas goes after a 3-and-D guy

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