The New Orleans Pelicans are open to trading with Lonzo Ball, after The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Ball, currently in its fourth season, does not produce numbers that jump off the statistics sheet. Even so, there are many teams that could use his services. Here are five teams that should act for Lonzo Ball.

5. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are fighting this season. Part of that is that they don’t have home games. Another reason is that their defense hasn’t been the same for some major squad moves.

The Raptors lost both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol to the LA teams during the free agency. Without their former great men, the teams could paint at will. The Raptors relied on Chris Boucher and Pascal Siakam to fend off shots, and for the most part it didn’t work.

Adding Ball to their roster adds a highly skilled defender who can prevent opposing guards from getting into the paint. It’s long and stands at 6’6 with a wingspan of 6’9. Not only does he add height, but he can also create for Fred VanVleet and offload Kyle Lowry.

4. Portland Trail Blazer

The Blazers rely on McCollum and Lillard to be their playmakers every minute of every game. This formula has proven its worth in the regular season but ends up with a mixed bag in the NBA playoffs.

It’s the same story every year. They are cheered in the regular season and then play in the playoffs. They fight in the playoffs because they are an undersized backcourt with a defensive liability Damian Lillard and another under-sized defense attorney in CJ McCollum.

Ball is 6’6 with a wingspan of 6’9. Not only does he not play the ball, but he is an excellent defender on the help side.

He currently has to play the role of a spot-up shooter, which was not his forte in the league. With the blazers he doesn’t have to be an elite three-point shooter. Instead, he can be a slasher and playmaker.

The Blazers will then be able to stagger Lonzo Ball and Lillard’s Minute to make sure a playmaker is on the floor at all times, and they will also have someone who can create for checkers – and take a load off them.

3. Los Angeles Clippers

Early in the free agencyThere were reports that the Clippers were looking for a real point guard. Leonard’s successful runs were conducted in teams with traditional point guards.

His season with the Raptors was alongside Kyle Lowry. This formula led to a championship. Kawhi’s development years were in San Antonio alongside Tony Parker, one of the league’s top generals. This formula led to a championship.

When it comes to Leonard and the Clippers looking for a floor general, it’s easy to see why. Ball can be the general floor for the clippers. He would be able to find Paul George and Leonard in their sweet spots and would be the perfect compliment to the Clippers’ banking unit.

Not only is Lonzo Ball an excellent floor general, he’s also a longtime defender. He is able to force enemy guards out of their places and he gets his hands on many passes. Given that the Clippers’ identity is supposed to be based on defense, this deal seems like a no-brainer.

2. Miami Heat

Youth is an asset to the NBA. At the moment the intense heat are filled with such assets. Bam Adebayo is 23 years old, Tyler Herro is 21 years old and Duncan Robinson is 26. These young guns have already proven that despite a lack of experience, they can play key games at big moments. Imagine adding a young general to that mix.

The heat has ground clearance and an explosive presence inside. With snipers on its wings and a respected rim runner, Ball can play its game at an extremely high level. In addition, Tyler Herro doesn’t have to be a key decision maker for Erik Spoelstra.

Often when Butler or Dragic have to miss the time, the heat turns to Herro for a playmaker. While Herro is very capable of creating for himself, he has not shown that he can consistently create for others. Throwing the ball into the mix allows Herro to play his natural position and give that backcourt a much needed defensive boost. The heat wouldn’t lose anything if it ricocheted off, and when Butler comes back he won’t have to carry such a heavy load.

Goran Dragic is 34. Father Time is currently undefeated. Dragic is prone to injury. It is never a gamer’s fault When they get injured, but the older a player gets, the more excruciating injuries they have. The heat suffered from his absence from the NBA finals. It is not his fault. But at the end of the day, it happens when a player ages.

Lonzo Ball is young, can relieve and defend.

1. Golden State Warriors

The warriors struggled to find lineups that would compliment Stephen Curry.

Lonzo Ball may not be Ray Allen, but he has a very high basketball IQ. Not only would he be able to find Curry halfway up in his pocket, but he would also force the teams to defend honestly. If he drives he can find the open man. Right now, the Warriors have players who take to the streets but don’t know what the next game is. This is Ball’s specialty.

On the other hand, the warriors were inconsistent on the defensive. Ball is a great point guard who can stay in front of the ball, make the field smaller, rotate correctly and end the game by grabbing the board. He’s literally a Steve Kerr player who just couldn’t play for Kerr.

The Warriors were able to build their first championship team behind line-ups in which players come off the bench like the ball. Shaun Livingston was a high IQ quality defender from the bank. He was tall and forced mismatches. He didn’t have a three-point jump, but if you’re playing with the Splash Brothers you don’t have to be Reggie Miller – you just have to play your part.