Even though the trade deadline has come and gone, Lonzo Ball and the New Orleans Pelicans can’t stay out of the rumors.
The most recent one came from Andrew Bogut’s podcast, as the Aussie made a bold statement about a deal that he claims almost went down before the deadline.
Bogut had this to say about Lonzo Ball on his Rogue Bogues podcast:
"“I have it on good authority that they had an offer actually for Lonzo Ball and I think a throw-in, a pick, for Oubre and the Warriors turned it down funnily enough, but I thought that was a pretty good deal to shed some salary and get a pick back.”"
My first reaction was, “HUH?”
So I have no idea who Bogut’s source is, whether this has any validity or if he got any of the details right, but if this is true, the Warriors need to have their heads checked, as they passed up what could have been a killer deal for them.
Here’s why I don’t believe this actually happened.
New Orleans Pelicans: Why would the Warriors turn down a deal for Lonzo Ball?
So in this alleged offer, the New Orleans Pelicans are not only giving up Lonzo Ball but also a pick? Come again?
Kelly Oubre Jr. is a nice player but Lonzo Ball is better, has a higher ceiling and would actually be a better fit on the Warriors now and in the future. Not only that, but the Pels were offering up a draft pick on top of it? No way this happened, sorry.
Then you factor in that Lonzo Ball is a restricted free agent after this season and Oubre is unrestricted and you have the makings of a conspiracy that I just don’t believe.
The Warriors are one of the smartest teams in the NBA, so there is no chance they turned down a chance to get a better player, a draft pick AND Bird Rights just so they could hold onto Kelly Oubre Jr.
If so, then someone needs to have an intervention, as they are clearly not thinking clearly.
This seems like a case of Bogut talking without knowing all of the details, as I just can’t see the Warriors turning down this deal, especially after they already have some regrets on passing on LaMelo Ball in the draft.
Maybe they just don’t like Lonzo Ball for some reason, but this one seems like a bunch of Aussie created smoke with no fire.