Pelicans: Devonte’ Graham is basically a cheaper version of Lonzo Ball
I do agree that Lonzo Ball is the better player and has a higher ceiling, but is he twice as good as Graham? Nope.
You wouldn’t know it from their salaries, as Lonzo is getting paid over $22 million a year from the Bulls and Graham is making about half that for the Pelicans.
Like I said, hype is valuable and the Bulls paid a lot to get a recognizable name to Chicago. I can’t blame them, and Lonzo may be very good for them in a new role, but that contract might also look awful in a few years if Lonzo doesn’t significantly improve.
The Pelicans still have cap space to use and can sign another guy or try to absorb a contract in a trade. For the price of Lonzo they are likely to get Graham and another player, so in the end, the Pelicans will have more depth and will not be losing much statistically.
If the Pels can land another starter and bring Graham off the bench it looks even better.