Lonzo Ball is one of the most hyped rookies in NBA history. He finished second behind Markelle Fultz in the 2017 NBA Draft and would be the next franchise point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. That didn’t happen as it only lasted two seasons in Los Angeles and was traded as part of the Lakers package for superstar Anthony Davis.
That move was the right one for the Lakers when they won the NBA title, and also for Lonzo when he got out of the limelight of his overzealous father. In terms of rating, Lonzo has its best season the pelicans with an average of 13.8 PPG. His free throw shooting has also made a massive jump from 56.6% to 79.2% this season. Lonzo’s improvement as a player is also reflected in his strong defense, but that won’t be enough to keep him in New Orleans.
The Pelicans bought Lonzo earlier this year, and the point guard is most likely playing his final months with the team. Lonzo is a restricted free agent this summer, which means he can contract any team he chooses if the pelicans don’t match. Most likely, the pelicans will enter into a sign and trade deal so as not to lose ball for free as this is the common trend in the NBA right now.
With Lonzo having a ton of potential as a two-way point guard, here are the top five goals for him this off-season.
5. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers took huge strides by signing Malcolm Brogdon for a long-term deal and also swapping their star player for Victor Oladipo. Indiana has to build around Domantas Sabonis, who is a bonafide all-star averaging 19.9 PPG and 11.6 RPG. But what Indiana needs is a point guard who can give him the ball.
Brogdon is a decent playmaker averaging 6.0 APG, but he’s mostly a goalscorer and shooter. If you grabbed a guard like Lonzo, the Pacers could quicken the pace and Brogdon and the newly acquired Caris LeVert could look for shots or feed Sabonis inside. In the event of a sign and trade, TJ McConnell and Doug McDermott would likely be involved in the trade. They would add defense and shooting to the pelicans that can move Bledsoe to point guard all day.
4. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls were eager to snatch Lonzo Ball from the pelicans before close of trading because they knew it would be difficult to play against a trio of Ball, LaVine, and Vucevic. But the deal never came off, and they have a chance to close a deal this off-season. After all, the pelicans immediately made the ball available.
Coby White has potential as a scorer and goalscorer, but he likely won’t be the playmaker or defender that Lonzo is. Gafford looks like an NBA starting center too, but Vucevic takes up most of the minutes, which will slow Gafford’s growth. The pelicans could use Chicago’s duo to add depth, and Lonzo could be the key to a sign and a bargain.
3. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas has a great thing with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on the team. But there is too much pressure on Doncic to score, distribute and carry out the crime. That’s too much pressure on a 22-year-old’s shoulders, and leading the Mavericks into the playoffs is more than enough for him at this point. Adding a natural playmaker and defender in Lonzo Ball helps Dallas a lot.
The Mavericks are clinging to a playoff seeding right now, and their trajectory doesn’t seem that high for the next season from today’s perspective. Jalen Brunson, who has a career year averaging 12.8 PPG and 3.5 APG, is a solid point guard for Dallas this season, but they need to get Lonzo as he’s a bigger point guard with much better athleticism.
2. New York Knicks
Thanks to all-star Julius Randle’s game and Tom Thibodeau’s coach, the Knicks did a fantastic job of participating in a playoff seeding. They even have guards like Derrick Rose and Emmanuel Quickley shooting the ball while the great man Mitchell Robinson has the ability to be a batsman in the suit. Adding Lonzo Ball puts them in a much better place in the east.
Lonzo has an average of 13.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 5.7 APG for the pelicans. His all-round game is what New York needs, because defenders of size and athleticism love head coach Tom Thibodeau. Lonzo, throwing lobs to Randle and Robinson, would make the Knicks an even better team and a lot more attractive to fans.
1. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a championship contender, and there is no question about that. The Clippers hold 3rd seed in the Western Conference and the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is one of the best pairings in the NBA. The only thing missing for the Clippers is a natural point guard and playmaker.
Kawhi Leonard made it clear last season that he wants a playmaker because neither he nor George likes to provide assists. Lonzo Ball adds another lockdown defender who pairs up with Leonard and George, and a player who sacrifices his own offense to speed up the pace and make his team look good. The Clippers have everything for a championship run, but having a playmaker in the point guard position is a top priority.
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