SEPTEMBER 1, 2:55pm: The deal is now official, the Pelicans announced in a press release.
In exchange for Pondexter, a 2018 second-rounder, and cash, the Bulls are sending the Pelicans the draft rights to Ater Majok, according to Brett Martel of The Associated Press (Twitter link). Majok, a 2011 pick who is currently playing in Lebanon, had his rights traded from the Lakers to Chicago in last summer’s Jose Calderon swap.
AUGUST 31, 4:52pm: There has been a clarification regarding the trade courtesy of CSN Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill. The Bulls will receive Pondexter and a 2018 second-pick, as well as cash.
4:44pm: The Bulls and Pelicans are finalizing a trade that would send Quincy Pondexter to Chicago for a second-round draft pick, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets. An update, however, suggests that it will be New Orleans giving up the pick in addition to Pondexter.
Pondexter hasn’t seen NBA action since 2014/15 when he started 28 games for the Pelicans and 30 contests total. Since then, he’s struggled through a particularly troublesome knee injury, his health remaining in limbo ahead of the 2017/18 season.
While the Bulls may end up ultimately waiving Pondexter, the second-round pick will serve them well as they navigate a long anticipated rebuild. The addition of Pondexter’s $3.9MM contract will presumably be absorbed into Chicago’s $15.3MM trade exception, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets.
Considering New Orleans’ need for a perimeter threat in light of Solomon Hill‘s long-term hamstring injury, the 29-year-old Pondexter would be an extremely valuable asset for the franchise if there was any sense of optimism that he could be healthy for the upcoming campaign. In June, however, general manager Dell Demps spoke about how uncertain the forward’s status was.
We had previously identified Pondexter as a candidate to be waived and stretched before the August 31 deadline, particularly given New Orleans’ proximity to the tax line. However, by finding a trade partner for the veteran swingman, the Pelicans will avoid carrying his cap hit in 2017/18 or stretching it across the next three seasons.
I know Q hasn’t/might not play – but he’ll play a whole lot more than a second rounder from NEXT YEAR’s draft… Jeez, the Pels need shooting and wings… Freeing up cash for Gerald Green? Hopefully not Shabazz Muhammed – another lane clogger. The Pels are basically gonna be last season’s Kings, only difference being a perplexed Brow
I think it’s actually the New Orleans Pel-I -C-A-N-S.
Thats quite a correction for someone using Rebs.
So, I’m assuming the Bulls pick going to NO will be highly protected, and the one going back will be unprotected.
I guess the create a trade exception, but this doesn’t bring them below the cap. Not sure I understand why they’re doing this, other than maybe they have another deal up their sleeves and needed the exception. Doesn’t look like they have 15 guaranteed deals in camp, and it doesn’t help avoid the luxury tax line.
Good deal for both but I think Q will be a better fit for the bulls.
But still the pelicans may have got the better half depending on who they can convert the pick into.
If they are gonna get rid of wade they will need a solid player that won’t cost them a lot.
What’s all these comments about the Pelicans getting a pick??
The only pick being swapped was obtained by the BULLS…!!
Also, QP will just be waived by the Bulls, so it is neither here nor there…The trade was made by the Bulls to just collect an extra 2nd rounder, and the Pelicans made the trade to save some cap space and add some financial flexibility…
Second rd future pick will help in rebuild? They traded their second rd pick this year to warriors for 3.5 mil who had a great summer league, rebuild my rear end. Clueless in chgo