Pelicans trade deadline: Could Lonzo Ball be swapped for Sabonis?

The New Orleans Pelicans and Lonzo Ball have been at the center of trade rumors for several weeks and today is finally the day we will find out if it happens.

There are a number of teams who have been rumored to be after Ball, but the most consistent team mentioned is the Chicago Bulls, who would love to add another big guard to go along with Zach LaVine and could use the star power Lonzo Ball brings.

The problem is that the Bulls aren’t a great match, as the Pels don’t want to move off Lonzo Ball unless they are getting back a future part of the core.

Lonzo Ball could be that piece, so it would be silly to trade him unless they were getting a player back who they thought could be the third star along with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

Enter the Indiana Pacers.

New Orleans Pelicans: Could Sabonis be on the table?

Vincent Goodwill from Yahoo Sports reported that the Pacers were listening to offers for Malcolm Brogdon and were also monitoring potential deals for Domantas Sabonis.

Some have suggested the Pelicans might try to swap Lonzo Ball for Brogdon but that seems like a lateral move, as Brogdon is essentially what the Pels think Lonzo Ball could be in a year or two, is making the same amount of money as Lonzo reportedly wants and is five years older.

The Pelicans might be more interested in Sabonis but it would be tough to get him with just Ball, as Sabonis is having the best season of his career is already locked up to a reasonable contract that goes through 2022-23, which is perfect because it aligns with Zion Williamson’s new deal.

Since the Pels are not a great match with either the Bulls or Pacers one-on-one, how about we get everyone involved?

Here’s what a 3-team trade might look like.