Grizzlies: Re-grading the Jonas Valanciunas-Eric Bledsoe trade

The New Orleans Pelicans will benefit in the near future from this deal

Even though the New Orleans Pelicans, like the Grizzlies, won’t be primarily concerned with winning immediately, this deal will help them out in that department. The Jonas Valanciunas-Steven Adams swap is a big upgrade for a Pelicans team that couldn’t seem to fit Steven Adams into their game plan.

Jonas Valanciunas will immediately give them more offensive production.

This deal also involved the Hornets, though this part didn’t impact the Grizzlies at all. The Pels received Devonte Graham through the Hornets, a player that can fit into their lineup immediately and have an impact down the road. They gave away a protected first-round pick to get him.

They also took their first-round pick from the Grizzlies and acquired Trey Murphy at No. 17, a player that the Grizzlies were thought to have their eyes on at one point. At 21-years old, Murphy has an opportunity to help the team in the immediate future.

Looking at the facts, the Pelicans did two things: increased their team’s current value and increased their team’s future value. For the Grizzlies, only one of those things can be said, as Memphis will likely take a small step back in 2021-22.

Even though we never gave this trade a grade to begin with, this one seems to be panning out pretty well for the Pelicans.

Trade Grade: A-