Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has chimed in on the comments made by former New Orleans guard J.J. Redick, who was dealt to the Mavericks last week in a trade deadline day agreement.
Redick claims Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin promised the team would move him to a situation he likes upon his request. As previously reported, the 36-year-old asked to play for a team in the Northeast with hopes of being closer to his family. New Orleans struggled to find a suitable package and traded him to Dallas instead.
“[JJ] had some things that he wanted to happen. But I think Griff cared very much about what JJ wanted, but he has a responsibility to Gayle Benson and to the organization that supersedes all of that,” Van Gundy said as part of a larger quote, as relayed by ESPN’s Andrew Lopez.
Van Gundy and Redick have a history dating back to Orlando from 2007-12. Regardless of what was communicated between Redick and the Pelicans, Redick’s focus has surely shifted to helping the Mavericks secure a postseason berth for the second straight season. Dallas currently holds the seventh-best record in the Western Conference at 25-21.
There’s more from the Southwest Division today:
- Speaking of J.J. Redick, the 15-year veteran has yet to play for the Mavericks due to a right heel injury, as relayed by the Associated Press. No timetable has been set for his return. “My understanding is that things are going in a very good direction,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We obviously hope he can be back 100% sooner than later.” Redick underwent a non-surgical procedure over three weeks ago to relieve inflammation and soreness.
- Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. expects to return from a torn meniscus this month, Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian tweets. Jackson suffered the injury last August and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2019/20 season. The 22-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 28.5 minutes per game during the campaign, appearing in 57 contests.
- Various players and staff from the Rockets recently received COVID-19 vaccines, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle notes. As we previously relayed, the NBA has relaxed its league-wide restrictions for those who receive the vaccine.
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