Lonzo Ball should be motivated after not extending his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Today was the final day for the New Orleans Pelicans and other teams around the NBA to sign rookie extensions. The Pels did not come to an agreement with Lonzo Ball.
The news was broken via Adrian Wojnaroski on Twitter:
There will be no agreement on a rookie extension for Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. Ball will become a restricted free agent next summer. Both sides remain positive about the ability to move forward together, Paul tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 21, 2020
This certainly doesn’t mean that Lonzo Ball is going to leave New Orleans but he’ll at least play out this season before he does.
It is a calculated risk for both sides, but one that could pay off.
If he didn’t already, Lonzo Ball should have plenty of motivation heading into 2020-21, which has some obvious positive benefits but could put the Pelicans in a difficult position at the end of the season.
What Lonzo Ball not signing an extension means for the New Orleans Pelicans
It is not a surprise that Lonzo didn’t sign this extension.
He can get more money next offseason if the cap goes up as expected, so it was a smart business move whether he stays in New Orleans or chooses another team.
He will only be a restricted free agent so the Pels will still have the inside track to sign him, as they will be able to offer more than any other team.
Lonzo Ball is obviously willing to bet that other teams will value him more after this season, particularly if he has the breakout year that many expect, which will net him a bigger contract.
If Lonzo plays well he can either earn a max deal from the New Orleans Pelicans and if they aren’t willing to do it, someone else will.
It’s unclear how hard the Pelicans tried to get Lonzo to re-sign this offseason, but he is clearly willing to bet on himself.
Lonzo Ball is now playing for his next contract, and if he wants it to be a max deal, he’ll have to play well. The Pelicans hope he makes them excited to offer him a max, and if not, we could see Lonzo traded at some point.