BREAKING: 49ers trade Kwon Alexander to the Saints for 5th round pick, Kiko Alonso
The trade deadline will never be boring as long as John Lynch is around.
(Santa Clara) - In a blockbuster trade which John Lynch had indicated would not happen, the 49ers have sent star LB Kwon Alexander to the Saints in exchange for an undisclosed compensation. Even if the 49ers get nothing back, this is a complete win, without a doubt. Alexander’s contract was massive, and getting off that contract while starting the better player, Dre Greenlaw, was always the plan - it was just a matter of finding a taker, which the 49ers did in New Orleans. We know that the 49ers have received Kiko Alonso, the veteran LB and long time Charger, as well as a conditional 5th round pick which likely is conditional with Kwon’s games played, as insurance for his health. This is a home-run trade. A+.
Alexander was signed in 2018 as part of a huge free agent class, and he was made the highest paid LB in the league at the time. He simply did not work out - the 49ers hoped that he could elevate his game in the tackling department, but it never happened, and his health was also a major factor. Add that to Dre Greenlaw, who is fast approaching as the next big thing in San Francisco, and the writing was on the wall.
Alexander had 64 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception, and two forced fumbles in his 2 years with the 49ers. Even with the reconstruction of his deal earlier this season, this helps to clear up the 49ers cap space in future years and makes it much easier for John Lynch to manage, even if there is a lot of work left. Frankly, for New Orleans side, they are going all in - but they are more than -$60 million in cap space next year. It’s going to be interesting to watch how Sean Payton and his cronies in the Saints front office handle this.
Ian Rapoport is reporting that the 49ers had been looking to trade Alexander as early as February. The emergence of Dre Greenlaw made him expendable.
Additionally, Desmond King III, the Chargers star slot corner, was traded to the Tennessee Titans for a 6th round pick. Getting an all-pro corner and return specialist for a 6th round pick is highway robbery, but the Chargers would not be able to afford to extend him after this season. Good move for both sides, but you have to think another team would have given up more.
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Great stuff and damn you fast lol
Saints better check their pockets, because they just got rolled. To be able to unload K.A. and his huge contract *and* get a 5th plus a useful player in return is Grand-Larceny. Well-played, Mr. Lynch well played indeed.