Dallas Mavericks: Breaking down the J.J. Redick trade

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a trade just before Thursday’s 2 p.m. CT deadline as they acquired J.J. Redick and Nicolo Melli from the New Orleans Pelicans for James Johnson, Wesley Iwundu, and a 2021 second-round pick, according to Shams Charania. Owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson cautioned fans about the Mavs not making a move, but in the end, they capitalized on the opportunity to upgrade their roster for the stretch run.

The Mavs traded two players that were not part of their nightly rotation for Redick and Melli. The veteran guard has not played since March 3 because of a heel injury. No word yet on how long he will be out, but he is one of the best shooters in the league. Melli figures to be an end of the bench piece for the Mavs after Brad Townsend reported the team plans on keeping him on the roster for the remainder of the season.

The trade was a bit of a surprise. The Mavericks did not have the assets to acquire a third star. They always going to be looking to plug holes for the stretch run. Dallas accomplished that goal as long as Redick can get and stay healthy.

Dallas Mavericks acquire J.J. Redick from the New Orleans Pelicans

Redick will be in the Mavericks rotation, but he likely comes off the bench and play 15-25 minutes per game. The 36-year-old will knock down shots and space the floor, but he could bring a ton more to Dallas.

Here is a look at why the Dallas Mavericks traded for J.J. Redick just before the deadline.

Next: Why Mavs got Redick

Why did the Dallas Mavericks trade for J.J. Redick?

The Mavs produced the highest offensive rating in NBA history last season. The outside shooting of Seth Curry was a massive part of their success. Dallas traded Curry to Philadelphia for Josh Richardson and a second-round pick in the offseason because they wanted to improve their defense to take the next step. The Mavericks have missed Curry’s shooting all season.

J.J. Redick is a career 41.5 percent 3-point shooter. Last season, he connected on 47.2 percent of his 252 catch and shoot threes. Redick also hit an incredible 57.7 percent on his 104 wide-open triples as classified by NBA Stats. The 6’3 guard is unquestionably one of the best shooters in the league.

Redick also brings experience and leadership to the Mavericks. Most of their current roster only has postseason experience from 2020. Redick has played in 110 playoff games in his career including making it to the NBA Finals in 2009. The 36-year-old wants to win a ring and could be a key piece in the Mavs taking the next step.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had this to say about the Redick acquisition.

Most experts were expecting J.J. Redick to be bought out, so why did Dallas trade for him?

Next: Why Mavs had to trade for Redick

Why the Dallas Mavericks had to trade for J.J. Redick

The New Orleans Pelicans want to play their young guards, which left no minutes for Redick. The 36-year-old veteran was likely to be bought if the Mavericks had not traded for him. Why not just wait and sign him for nothing?

Dallas would not have landed Redick in that scenario. The veteran would have chased a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, or another upper echelon contender. The Mavericks had to trade for Redick before the deadline to ensure they got his services. Dallas did well in only parting with cash, one second-round pick, and two players that were not part of the every-night rotation.

J.J. Redick brings shooting, leadership, and experience to the Dallas Mavericks. He could be the piece that pushes them over the hump. Redick’s shooting might be massive in the postseason when the defense tightens up. The 36-year-old could be the deciding factor in the Mavs making a deep playoff run.

The best is still yet to come from the 2020-2021 Dallas Mavericks. Keep an eye on J.J. Redick’s status and how he fits in with his new team. The Mavs could be ready to make a run, so do not miss it.