New Orleans Pelicans: Pels should trade Lonzo Ball for Lauri Markkanen

New Orleans Pelicans: Could the Pels trade for Lauri Markkanen?

Why the Pelicans would do it

The Pelicans have too many guards right now and none of them are really playing well.

Brandon Ingram has been their only real shotmaker, their 3-point shooting has been terrible and Lonzo Ball has had an inconsistent role with the team.

Ideally, the Pelicans could roll with a stretch-four who can actually shoot the ball, and they don’t currently have one on their team.

Trading for Markkanen would not only give the Pelicans an offensive juggernaut potentially but would allow the Pels to go with small-ball lineups that don’t feature Zion Williamson at center.

Obviously, this trade could potentially make the Pelicans defense worse, especially on the perimeter, but is that even possible right now?

They have allowed 118.1 points per game in their last eight and it’s not like Lonzo Ball has been a lockdown defender.

This would give the Pels a chance to re-structure their roster in a way that makes more sense and to take a risk on a guy who could be part of the long-term future.

At the moment, Lonzo Ball does not appear to be, so if the Pels can trade him and one of their million draft picks for a guy who fits well with Zion and Ingram, they should.

I don’t know what it would take to get Lauri Markkanen from the Chicago Bulls, but if the Pels can do it for Lonzo Ball and a few picks, they should be on the phone now.