The Pelicans could be looking for another point guard. New Orleans is “unlikely to match a significant offer sheet” for Lonzo Ball this off-season, per Shams Charania.
? Inside Pass from @ShamsCharania
?? Mavs, Heat, Spurs & Wolves among teams expected to show interest in John Collins
?? Knicks most aggressive trade suitor for Cavs G Collin Sexton
?? Pels not expected to match a significant offer sheet on Lonzo Ball https://t.co/9FT97ai3FO— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 13, 2021
Ball, 23, came off a year averaging a career-high in points with 14.6 points per game, and 3-point shooting at 37.8%— coming a long way from his abysmal rookie year percentage at 30.5%.
Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley tried to pull off another blockbuster trade among their slew of moves this past trade deadline by acquiring the product out of the University of California. The talks stalled out and Karnisovas and company set their focus on August 2, the start of NBA free agency.
The report of The Pels not matching significant offers for Lonzo Ball is like music to the front office’s ears, as everything is going according to plan.
A backcourt featuring Ball and LaVine would most likely solidify Chicago’s playoff fortunes. Ball would cover up some of Lavine’s mishaps on the defensive side of the ball, while also allowing for multiple easy buckets(i.e, back cuts, alley-oops, fast breaks) with his superb passing and playmaking.
LaVine received a multitude of open shots from passes delivered by Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young. Now imagine Lonzo Ball. His addition would also be extremely beneficial to All-Star Nikola Vucevic and their rising young athlete Patrick Williams.
This move would slide third-year guard Coby White to the bench and to his true role: a scorer. I would like to see a Lou Will-type role for the 21-year-old.
Now, none of this will come into fruition if the Bulls don’t offer Ball the right amount of money. Also, remember that Chicago is still going to have to manage their cap space due to LaVine’s looming contract situation this upcoming season.
With a few minor tweaks to the current roster, the Bulls have the cap to outbid a team like the Clippers, who are also interested. However, if a team like the New York Knicks enters the race, then things get way more tricky.
We’ll find out on August 2nd.
