The New Orleans Pelicans sent Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe and two future first-round NBA Draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jonas Valanciunas and a first-rounder, reported ESPN.

One of the picks the Pelicans gave away was the No. 10 pick for Thursday's draft and they received the No. 17 pick from the Grizzlies. The other one was the No. 51 pick (protected to No. 10) for 2022 from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pelicans (No. 40) and the Grizzlies (No. 51) are also exchanging their second-round picks on the draft night, according to ESPN.

Getting rid of Adams and Bledsoe are definitely correct decision. Neither of them made the Pelicans a better defensive team, not to mention that their offensive existence actually held the team back.

Valanciunas can be a decent upgrade for the Pelicans in center. The 29-year-old Lithuanian big man averaged 17.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game at career-high field goal rate of 59.2 percent. He has more scoring options than Adams and has been much more efficient.

However, enhancing the center position is not the only thing the Pelicans are after following the deal. They are trying to collect more salary space as well. According to ESPN, if the Pelicans continue to let Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart go, they should be able to create $36 million of salary space. That number should enable the team to make a competitive offer on the free agency market, which will open on August 2.

One of the biggest names on the market is Kyle Lowry who could still get 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists while draining 2.8 triples at 39.6-percent despite his 35 years. Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald revealed that Lowry wants a three-year, $90-million, fully guaranteed deal. 

ESPN's expert Bobby Marks said the Pelicans-Grizzlies trade can't be finalized until August 6 because of all the contracts involved. If the Pelicans decided to keep Hart and let Ball go, they can only create $25 million of salary space. Meanwhile, their offer may not be the most lucrative to Lowry. Neither do they have the most attractive organization for veterans like Lowry.

But the Pelicans must show their attitude and will to strengthen the roster, especially to Brandon Ingram, who is reportedly willing to be traded to the Miami Heat.

Ingram is less than a month from 24 years old. He averaged 23.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while making 2.3 triples at 38.1 percent. Nonetheless, he has not played in even one playoff game yet after four years in the league. Neither did the Pelicans show any sign of getting closer to the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Heat, after a quite disappointing season and missing trading for James Harden, are in desperate need to acquire a young star. It's fair to say that the two sides have good enough reasons to join hands.

That gave the Pelicans more reasons to move fast and strike hard on the market, not just to enhance to their lineup, but also to avoid growing weaker.