The New Orleans Pelicans need forward depth and some scoring, while the Chicago Bulls need a point guard who can get the ball to their shooters. Could there be a trade for Lonzo Ball?
The New Orleans Pelicans are in a difficult position when it comes to Ball, as he is in the final year of his contract and has not played well thus far.
Part of this is that he has been put in an unfamiliar role in Stan Van Gundy’s offense, one that does not take advantage of any of the things he does well.
The Pels have transformed into a grind-it-out halfcourt team that wants to win with defense (HAHAHAHAH), which has not happened so far but that is the plan.
If this is how they are going to play, then Lonzo Ball is not really necessary, as he is best in the open court and running an offense based on motion and ball movement.
Could the Chicago Bulls give him that chance?
Could the Pelicans pry away a player who better fits their roster and system?
Let’s take a look.
New Orleans Pelicans: Could Pels trade Lonzo Ball for Lauri Markkanen?
The Pelicans would love to put Markkanen next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
He is a true stretch-four who is having one of the best years of his career, is only 23-years-old and would fit much better in SVG’s offense.
The Pelicans aren’t going to get him for Lonzo Ball alone, so here is a trade that might work:
In this trade, the Bulls get their point guard plus two picks, one of which is a first-rounder from the Lakers.
The Pelicans get back a forward who could give them the additional shot maker they need and could fit well with the team long term.
Who says no?
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Lonzo Ball to the Chicago Bulls
Why the Bulls would do it
The Chicago Bulls are a team without a real point guard.
They have Zach LaVine, who has been amazing this season but he is a scorer first and could use a guy who can get him the ball in his spots.
Coby White is better as a scoring guard off the bench, a role in which he has thrived in his young career.
Lonzo Ball makes a lot of sense on this team, especially when you consider that Lauri Markkanen may not be part of the long-term plans.
Markkanen is in the final year of his deal and playing the best basketball of his career, so now is the time for the Bulls to get max value in a trade.
Markkanen is averaging 19.4 points, and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting a career-best 39.7 percent from 3-point range on 7.3 attempts per game.
The Bulls would only make this deal if they think Markkanen is going to leave in free agency or don’t want to pony up the money to re-sign him.
A core of Lonzo Ball, LaVine, Patrick Williams, White and Wendall Carter Jr. is not bad, and the Bulls would also have an additional first-round pick in 2021 to work with.
They would at least listen to this offer.
How about the New Orleans Pelicans?
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.