While the deal cannot become official until Aug. 6, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies pulled off the first major NBA trade of the offseason, with the Grizzlies sending Jonas Valanciunas and 2021 picks No. 17 and No. 51 to the Pelicans in exchange for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2021 picks No. 10 and No. 40 and a protected 2022 first-round pick via the Los Angeles Lakers.
This comes with some corresponding changes in fantasy value for the players involved and their new teammates, so let's take a look at the winners and losers from a fantasy basketball perspective.
Winners
Zion Williamson's all-around value: Valanciunas is a much better scorer than Adams, and the Pelicans should take advantage of his abilities. Valanciunas plays in the middle, but per Basketball-Reference, he only took 46% of his field goal attempts from zero to three feet from the rim last season versus Adams' 65% of his shots right at the rim. This speaks to Valanciunas having more scoring versatility and more range, but he also takes about twice as many shots as Adams, so Valanciunas will need to get more touches in his scoring zones. Valanciunas' scoring zone is right in Williamson's area of operation ... so, why is Williamson listed as a winner?
Because, to me, it indicates a likelihood that the Pels might use Williamson more in the point-power forward role that he experimented with last season. This means more ballhandling out top, with drives to the rim that lead to either kickout opportunities for 3-pointers, alley-oops to Valanciunas or a high-percentage finishing opportunity for Williamson. Williamson has never been a major rebounder, and Valanciunas is likely to vacuum the boards, but Williamson should get more assist opportunities on similar scoring volume and efficiency next to his new center.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Bledsoe led the Pelicans in total minutes played last season with 2,111. Meanwhile, on a per 36-minute basis, Alexander-Walker averaged 18.2 points. 5.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.7 3-pointers and 1.7 steals in his sophomore season. Bledsoe's absence could help open up starter minutes for the third-year guard, and Alexander-Walker with starter minutes could be an impact fantasy performer.
Steven Adams: As mentioned above, Adams doesn't shoot much, but when he does, he does so from right in front of the rim. He is also a good "roll" man off the pick-and-roll. Ja Morant is a big upgrade for running that set, and he should be able to set up Adams with easy looks in his wheelhouse. Also, Jaren Jackson Jr. loves to operate on the perimeter, so Adams won't be crowded out of the paint the way he was next to Williamson.
Losers
Brandon Ingram: This is the other side of the coin to Williamson playing more point-forward and Valanciunas needing more frontcourt shots. Ingram is still a high-usage player for the Pelicans, but this could eat slightly into his scoring touches.
Jonas Valanciunas: Valanciunas was the primary interior scoring option for the Grizzlies, and he got to play off an excellent distributing point guard in Morant. Valanciunas will see fewer shots next to Williamson and Ingram in New Orleans.
Eric Bledsoe: Bledsoe is a physically skilled lead guard with a questionable jumper. The Grizzlies have a younger, better version of that type of player in Morant. Bledsoe is very unlikely to lead the Grizzlies in minutes the way he did the Pelicans last season and is looking at a much smaller role. There also are rumors the Grizzlies could look to move the veteran point guard before he ever has a chance to suit up in Memphis.