New Orleans Pelicans sending JJ Redick to Dallas Mavericks

The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to trade JJ Redick to the Dallas Mavericks, avoiding a possible buyout situation for the veteran shooting guard.

Sources told ESPN the Pelicans sent Redick and forward Nicolo Melli to Dallas for forwards James Johnson and Wes Iwundu as well as a 2021 second-round pick.

Redick has not played since March 3 as he deals with a right heel injury. After the All-Star break, Redick underwent a non-surgical procedure on the injury and has not been with the team since.

The 36-year-old Redick is shooting a career-low 36.4 percent from 3-point range this season, but a lot of that has to do with an unusually slow start. Redick shot 29.8 percent in the first 16 games of the season but he’s been a 46.4 percent shooting in the 15 games since.

Redick has $13 million remaining on a two-year deal he signed with New Orleans in 2019.

New Orleans scoured the market for a possible deal for Redick and avoided a situation where Redick would have hit the buyout market by making a last-minute deal before the deadline hit.

Melli, who has struggled shooting this year for the Pelicans, is in the final year of his contract.

Johnson is in the final year of his deal paying him $15.8 million and gives the Pelicans depth in the frontcourt behind Steven Adams, Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez while Iwundu gives the Pelicans another option on the wing.