New Orleans Pelicans: Pels need to clone Lonzo Ball, not trade him

New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball is a versatile defender

One of the qualities the Pels should seek in players to complement Zion Williamson is guys who are athletic and can defend multiple positions.

Lonzo Ball has proven himself to be that guy, as he’s been the Pels’ best perimeter defender (although that is not saying much) and has guarded everyone from point guards to small forwards.

Lonzo has the size and athleticism to be an elite defender if he continues to commit himself on that end. He’s still not there yet (despite what his supporters might think) as Lonzo still has a hard time battling through screens.

But he’s getting better and appears to be committed to being a top defender, which is all you can ask for from a player who is still very young.

If Lonzo Ball continues to improve, he will absolutely be one of the long, switchable defenders who can complement Zion and BI and help cover some of their defensive weaknesses.

The word “elite” gets thrown around way too much in NBA circles and Lonzo Ball is not there yet, but he can get there.

Either way, trading him would take the Pels a step back defensively unless they were to replace him with someone who is a better defender.

I said that Zion’s ideal teammates would be B.I and three guys who are all over 6-foot-7, can defend multiple spots and shoot a little.

Lonzo Ball meets those criteria, the Pels just a nee a few more like him.