Duke basketball star does not get wish granted in buzzer beater deal

A Duke basketball legend did not get his wish granted at the NBA Trading Deadline. 

Former Duke basketball superstar JJ Redick has hit his fair share of buzzer beaters in his career, but he will not be thrilled with the latest one.

Minutes before 3:00pm EST, the official end of the NBA Trading Deadline, Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported that the former Blue Devil was being shipped from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Pelicans received James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, and a second-round pick in exchange for the veteran, but Nicolo Melli is also heading to Dallas as a part of the deal.

However, this is nowhere close to what Redick was hoping for as his wishes included either being traded to the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, or Philadelphia 76ers, closer to where his family is living in New York City.

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If New Orleans was not able to work a trade with either of those teams, he hoped for a buyout and then would be free to sign with any team in the league.

Redick’s teammate with the Pelicans, Josh Hart, took to Twitter to presumably send a cryptic message regarding the situation.

There were also trade rumors surrounding Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, but the franchise opted not to trade him.

The general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans is former Blue Devil Trajan Langdon.

Duke basketball standout hoping for success in change of scenery

Over a season and a half, Redick played in 91 games for the New Orleans Pelicans, but this season he had suited up for only 31 games and started none.

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The former Blue Devil is averaging just 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game on 40.7-percent from the floor and 36.4-percent from three-point range.

It remains to be seen if JJ Redick will pass all COVID-19 health and safety protocols in order to play for the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, March 26 against the Indiana Pacers. If not, his first game with his new team could be on Saturday, March 27 against…the New Orleans Pelicans.