New Orleans Pelicans: 3 trades that would send Lonzo Ball to the Sixers

New Orleans Pelicans: How about Tyrese Maxey?

This option is more straightforward in that the Sixers are just getting Lonzo Ball from the New Orleans Pelicans. The gist, though, remains the same.

If we’re going with the Pels craving a solid young asset in exchange for Ball, then I think New Orleans can do much worse than Tyrese Maxey. Poirier, Scott, center Tony Bradley this time, and future first-round draft compensation are once again included to make everything fit.

Maxey is likely the Sixers’ best up-and-comer right now. I thought he was undervalued when he wasn’t drafted until the 21st pick in last year’s NBA draft. Early on, he had some promising performances for the Sixers—including 39 points for a depleted Philadelphia team against the Denver Nuggets.

Maxey has started playing less over the course of the season, but I don’t think that’s cause for concern. It’s natural for rookies, especially on a team with championship aspirations.

My real worry with the former Kentucky guard is the overlap with Kira Lewis Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Maxey fits into that explosive combo guard role that needs the ball in his hands to be productive. Philadelphia has played him at the point a lot, which I’m not sure is his ideal role, but it makes sense given their roster construction and that Maxey is just 6-foot-2.

The Pelicans might consider that they’re better off investing in Alexander-Walker and Lewis, even if it means risking that Ball could leave for nothing in the summer.

Another thing that makes Maxey’s fit less easy than at first glance is his outside shooting. Stan Van Gundy likes to have his backcourt shoot a lot from deep, but Maxey is a 29 percent three-point shooter. That number matches up with what he showed at Kentucky, as well.