NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for J.J. Redick
By Noah Torr
J.J. Redick will be a free agent during the 2017 offseason and no one’s entirely sure where he’s going to end up.
After a very impressive 2016-17 season by sharpshooter J.J. Redick, he is ready to cash in.
Since the cap has risen, players have been eager to sign one last big contract as they enter or leave their primes. Last year, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, and Harrison Barnes all received ludicrous deals because of the increase in the salary cap for NBA teams. While last year would have been a better year to exploit NBA teams for a little extra money, Redick still has his opportunity.
Will he try to chase after a ring and offer his services at a discount to teams? Or, will he raise his asking price and look for the most money that could be thrown his way?
5. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are at number five because the likelihood of this scenario actually happening (which is slim to none), but it’s such a good fit for both sides.
If Jrue Holiday leaves and Tim Frazier takes control of the point guard position next year, you can expect him to spread the ball around because that is exactly what he’s best at. His jump shot is still improving but he has an innate passing ability that is fun to watch.
Also, since the Pelicans are going to run a double-big system with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans needs players to spread the floor and the Pelicans current crop of talent is not going to cut it. With E’Twaun Moore and Solomon Hill projected to start on the wings next year, the future doesn’t look pretty.
But, if you throw Redick into the mix, suddenly the lineup looks a lot more appealing. The lane is no longer clogged because of Redick’s floor spacing ability. Frazier or Holiday has the room to operate and Solomon Hill can continue to float around and attack where necessary. And both Davis and Cousins can destroy opposing defenses around the rim.
Redick on the Pelicans makes sense, except, it doesn’t. See, the Pelicans cap situation is crazy this season and adding Redick to the team seems unlikely, unless New Orleans sees Holiday leave. There are no reports linking Redick to the Pelicans, but that doesn’t mean he is not a good fit.