The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly exploring possible options for unloading veteran guard Eric Bledsoe off their books, including one that will have him play alongside Ja Morant with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report:
Sources said the Pelicans have generated traction with the Grizzlies in a framework that would swap that 10th selection for the 17th pick while also sending Eric Bledsoe back to Memphis.
Bledsoe has a significant hit on the Pelicans’ salary situation. He is due to be paid $18.125 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season and $19.375 million in the season after that — the last on his current deal.
The Pelicans have not been getting the value of the money they have riding on Bledsoe, who arrived in New Orleans in November 2020 via a convoluted four-team trade that involved the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Bledsoe played 71 games last season in Pelicans threads and averaged 12.2 points on 42.1 FG% and 34.1 3FG% while dishing out just 3.8 assists per contest.
For the Grizzlies, Bledsoe could be a nice addition to the team’s backcourt, but he can’t expect to take over it with Morant welded into the leadership role for Memphis. The Grizzlies don’t have spacious financial legroom, but it could create some more space by electing not to pick up the team option on Justise Winslow, which is worth $13 million.
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