New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Reasons Not to Trade Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans should be a cornerstone. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans should be a cornerstone. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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New Orleans Pelicans, Lonzo Ball
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Second Reason Why The New Orleans Pelicans Shouldn’t Trade Lonzo Ball

Defensive Ability

The next reason why the New Orleans Pelicans need to continue to put their faith in Lonzo Ball is because of the premium defense he can give the team at the point guard position.

In today’s NBA, most point guards are not strong defenders, and often that means coaches have to scheme defenses up to hide their point guard’s deficiencies. With Lonzo Ball, the New Orleans Pelicans don’t have to do that because he is great at defending when engaged.

Standing at 6’6″ with a 6’9″ wingspan, Lonzo Ball has rare size at his position that could make him elite when it comes to slowing down some of the league’s best guards. He’s already showing that he is effective icing pick-and-rolls and forcing guards into tough contested shots.

To top it all off, Ball can buy the New Orleans Pelicans more offense because he is good at forcing turnovers and getting steals. For his career so far, Lonzo Ball is averaging 1.5 steals per game which is near the top of the league in that category.

It would make no sense for the Pelicans organization to give up on a point guard that can not only lead an offense but lead a defense too.