Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans has been linked in trade rumors to the Chicago Bulls all season, and it makes sense.
The Bulls need a point guard and have some pieces that the Pelicans could use, including power forward Lauri Markkanen, who is also a restricted free agent like Lonzo Ball.
The two have been linked in trade rumors before and it might make even more sense now.
The Pelicans desperately need 3-point shooting and Markkanen is a 7-footer who hit 40 percent from long range this season.
The Bulls are desperate to add another player around star Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic, as they would like to build a winner before LaVine decides to jump ship.
Our friends at Pippen Ain’t Easy proposed a trade that could be mutually beneficial to both teams.
Pelicans: Trading Lonzo Ball to the Chicago Bulls for Lauri Markkanen
Since both of these players are restricted free agents, they would have to sign with their current teams before being traded, which could complicate matters, but on paper, this trade might work for both teams.
There are a lot of things to like about this trade for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans would do it if they thought Lonzo Ball was going to leave anyway or they didn’t want to meet his contract demands. They would also do it to get out from under Eric Bledsoe and open up some future cap space.
Thaddeus Young is still a useful veteran that would improve the team’s defense off the bench and Coby White can be instant offense off the bench as well.
Markkanen gives Zion Williamson some more floor spacing, but doesn’t help the defense.
The sticking point is that Coby White is currently injured, which gives the Bulls even more motivation to go after Lonzo Ball.
If the Pelicans think they are not going to re-sign Lonzo then this might be a viable option, especially if the Bulls are willing offer this type of package and they can get Markkanen on a reasonable deal.