New Orleans Pelicans: Sending Lonzo Ball to the Knicks is a win-win

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 21: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives around Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Acquiring Lonzo Ball from the New Orleans Pelicans could help the New York Knicks develop the rest of their young players too

Why the Knicks make the trade

For the New York Knicks, this move goes beyond just acquiring a set-up man style point guard. This deal is designed for the Knicks to continue moving their franchise forward.

Acquiring Lonzo Ball gives the Knicks a point guard who will not only fit the distributor role in Tom Thibodeau’s new scheme but will also help the rest of the Knicks’ young players develop too.

Think about it, the New York Knicks have a lot of shotmakers on their team. They have RJ Barrett at the shooting guard position, Julius Randle at the forward spot, and to a degree Mitchell Robinson in the middle too. What’s making those players thrive this season?

Point guard play. The Knicks have been helped enormously by Elfrid Payton’s ability to set-up his teammates for open shots. The problem is Payton is a poor offensive player and mediocre defender.

Acquiring Lonzo Ball would be an instant upgrade over Payton for the Knicks. He’d continue to help the roster grow by being a distributor, but he’d also give the Knicks good defense and some outside shooting too.

The deal makes sense for this young New York team striving to make the playoffs, and if I’m Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau, it’s a deal that’s high on my wishlist. Now, let’s look at why the New Orleans Pelicans do this.

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