The Los Angeles Clippers are looking for an upgrade in the point guard position ahead of the upcoming playoffs. One player they keep an eye on, according to Lonzo Ball, is the New Orleans Pelicans guard Marc Stein of The New York Times. Ball is currently in the middle of his fourth season in the league and he will have limited free agents this summer.
The UCLA product is having a great season for the Pelicans. Ball has started in all 38 games in which he has appeared, averaging 14.2 points, 5.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per performance. He also shoots a career high of 42 percent from the floor and a career high of 38 percent from long range. Despite his positive play, his future in New Orleans is uncertain, as he and the Pelicans did not agree on an extension before the season began. The Pelicans will have the opportunity to match any offer Ball will receive for free during the off-season. However, if Ball does not necessarily enter their long-term plans, or if they do not think they want to pay him what other teams can offer, you should trade him now so that they get something in return – instead of just putting him in free settings. let go – would make sense.
Clearly, the Clippers think Ball will be an upgrade over their current point guard rotation consisting of Pat Beverley and Reggie Jackson, despite the fact that Ball has no post-season experience. The Clippers are also not the only team interested in adding Ball, as the New York Knicks are apparently also interested in trading for Ball, or possibly adding him as a free agent after the season.
The Pelicans have not yet said in public what they plan to do with Ball, but behind the scenes they are definitely thinking about their options. One person who will be very happy if the Pelicans decide to trade Lonzo is his father, LaVar, who recently revealed that he hopes the Pelicans will move his son.
“No, he can not stay in New Orleans,” LaVar told USA Today. “Come on, man. Come on, listen … Lonzo has always been a playmaker. Why are you trying to turn him into a defensive specialist who stays in the corner and shoots 3s? And you’re trying to change Zion and Brandon. Ingram, what never been playmakers.Tellers! Now you want to put the ball in their hands and be playmakers? … Go draw the ball and do what you do and guess what? They’re going to have a hard time winning every game if the playmaker does not make the right plays. ‘
It’s safe to say that Pelicans front office LaVar’s opinion will not rest on the decision about Lonzo’s future with the franchise, but it will be extremely interesting to see what they decide to do. It looks like Ball has a bright future in the league, now it’s just a question of whether he’s going to continue his career in New Orleans or elsewhere.