Ranking the New Orleans Pelicans’ Trading Chips Entering the Offseason

Lonzo Ball is the New Orleans Pelicans’ second most valuable trade asset.

Lonzo Ball

The Pelicans’ backcourt has been the subject of a ton of rumors and I’ve seen Lonzo Ball being shipped everywhere from the Knicks to the Warriors to the Pacers.

Lonzo has shown All-Star potential, though he has not put it all together yet. Any team that trades for Lonzo would be banking that eventually he will be a top-five point guard in the NBA.

Until then, Lonzo is on a reasonable contract for his production, and still has a year left at just over $11 million, which would be easy to move.

Unlike Redick, Lonzo’s expiring deal does not raise his value, as teams wouldn’t get much control over where he goes if he becomes a free agent. On the other hand, Lonzo has not yet shown he is worth a max deal, so any team who traded for him would have a year to try him out before committing long-term money.

Lonzo could certainly be swapped for a similar player one-for-one, or be part of a bigger package. There are teams out there hoping that the Pelicans will sell low on Lonzo after his poor showing in the bubble, but if the Pelicans wait it out, Lonzo could bring back a haul.

It’s unlikely the Pelicans would trade Lonzo, as they like his potential alongside Zion Williamson, but if they did, he would certainly have some value as a young, ascending point guard on an expiring deal.