The New Orleans Pelicans and Lonzo Ball have been hearing trade rumors pretty much all season.
With the trade deadline just a few days away, the market still hasn’t crystalized and though there are some teams who keep getting mentioned, Lonzo Ball could still be traded to a mystery team or not at all.
There is a strong argument for keeping Lonzo with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, as he has shown himself to have complementary skills.
Fans who are eager to see Lonzo Ball go (I don’t understand this really) might be disappointed if he is still on the team come Friday.
Like I said, rumors are just rumors but there are four teams that have repeatedly been mentioned in connection to Lonzo Ball.
I’ll play along and rank the four teams according to what they might be able to offer the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pels are not going to give Lonzo Ball away just to get rid of him and would probably like a young wing and a draft pick in return.
So who has the best offer? Let’s take a look.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading Lonzo Ball to the Clippers
Out of the four teams we’ll profile, the Clippers would seem to be the worst fit unless there is another team involved, and even then I don’t see it.
The Clippers don’t have any appealing young players that they’d give up and are pretty much barren in the draft pick department as well.
If the Pelicans are interested in Luke Kennard, there might be some angle to work there, but I can’t see why they would be given his contract and production.
This one would take at least a third team and possibly a fourth, as the Clippers simply don’t have the ammunition to get Lonzo Ball on their own.