The Jrue Holiday-Bucks deal includes even more spare parts.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a happy man, as the Bucks are going all-out to add to his championship-caliber squad. While most (including Giannis) thought this deal was complete, two more teams have joined the fray, to complete the blockbuster trade.
New Orleans and Milwaukee are expanding the original Jrue Holiday trade to include more teams and players, including the routing of Steven Adams to the Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. Talks are moving toward a possible four-team trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
The Thunder have agreed in principle to trade Steven Adams to the Pelicans as part of a multi-team trade, sources tell ESPN. OKC is getting back -- wait for it -- future first-round pick and second-round picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
Steven Adams, the Thunder’s last real remaining asset, is heading to the New Orleans Pelicans as, allegedly, part of this original trade. The last-second add-on will give the Pels their new big man and, of course, allow Sam Presti to add even more draft picks to his war chest.t
As part of the trade, guard Eric Bledsoe is staying with the Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/8zAmO5VOeW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
The Pelicans-Bucks-Thunder-Nuggets trade is growing increasingly complicated
It’s true, I’ve lost track. As part of this trade, George Hill is heading to the Thunder, and Eric Bledsoe stays with the Bucks, giving them a loaded backcourt. Holiday still goes to Milwaukee, which is easily the mot significant part of this deal, and the Bucks get back another building block in their quest for playoff relevancy.
Adams is a strong, capable big man who should fit right in with the Pelicans. Alongside Zion Williamson, the New Orleans frontcourt will be as strong as any in the Western Conference, at least defensively.
The Thunder flipped another asset for draft capital, which appears to have been OKC’s primary motivation heading into a busy offseason. Once Presti decided he was trading Chris Paul, the rest of the dominoes have fallen into place.
Needless to say, the biggest trade of the offseason so far is among the most complicated. Surely, there’s more to come.