Lonzo Ball’s future in the NBA is at an interesting crossroads. The 23-year-old point guard has gone from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and is now heading for his first big free-agency season. Before he can get to that point though, Ball may need to do some more traveling. The trade rumors have been flying and the Pelicans are not against sending Lonzo somewhere else.
The Pelicans picked Ball up in the blockbuster Lakers trade involving Anthony Davis. If Lonzo is traded before tomorrow’s deadline it will allow the Pelicans to focus on thinning out their roster and core for the future. If they want to keep Ball long-term though, they will need to pay a decent premium for the young star. Sam Amick of The Athletic has reported that Lonzo will be seeking $20 million a year during free agency. Some may balk at the number but it isn’t far off from what he is worth.
As Ball has developed in the league he has shown he is open to adapting his game and changing. The most obvious example is his jump shot. The correction of his shooting form has been a revelation for him, and his offense is not what it was as a rookie. Lonzo also remains one of the most creative and fun-to-watch passers in the game. Defensively he has been flexible and is able to guard multiple positions on the floor.
This season Lonzo is averaging more points than ever and is shooting better than ever before. His rebounds and assists are down from his career averages as a result of his developing offensive game. Playing off the ball more has helped him develop quite a bit and his 38% from deep this season has made him a respected shooter. Being paired up with another player who can dish the ball if need be is crucial for where he ends up next.
This brings us to the 76ers. While many teams are interested in Ball’s services, the Philadelphia 76ers are potentially pursuing Lonzo if they are unable to acquire Kyle Lowry. This would be a wonderful place for Ball to land as he would have Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to play alongside. Simmons and Ball switching off lead guard duties to set up shots and plays for each other while running Embiid down low would be really fun to watch. The 76ers have long needed a talented lead guard of this caliber and they should pursue the move if they are able to.
The Pelicans are very likely to bring Lonzo back. After all, he has played with Brandon Ingram since they both got to the league and with Zion Williamson, they almost have a Big Three of their own in NOLA. Whether Lonzo is traded or not remains to be seen, but no matter what happens this Thursday trade or not, he could still be on the move. 2021 NBA Free Agency is almost here.
