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

New Orleans Pelicans: 3-team trade for Lonzo Ball with Bulls and Pacers

Here is what a 3-team deal might look like. If the Pels could pull this off they would have to consider it, especially if they think they are moving on from Lonzo Ball anyway.

I will admit that I have seen some version of this trade in a few places on Twitter, so other fans and writers are having similar thoughts. Here is my version, which could work for all three teams.

In this trade, all three teams get something they want. The Pacers get a fresh start with two first-round draft picks in a loaded draft, and also get a restricted free agent in Lauri Markkanen, who is having his best season as a professional. They could try to re-sign Markkanen or just let him walk, in which case they’d open up a ton of cap space, as they are also getting two expiring in Melli and Hernangomez.

The Bulls get Lonzo Ball, who they would almost certainly extend in the offseason. The Pelicans move on from Ball and get a guy who is already locked up to a contract that fits with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram’s timeline.

The Pelicans would probably have to throw in another second round pick or two, which is fine, so look at this as the skeleton of a deal.

The question is whether the New Orleans Pelicans really want Sabonis.