Is it time for the Pelicans to give up on Lonzo Ball? If so where should Ball be traded?
The fourth-year player out of UCLA is only averaging 12 PPG, 4 APG, and 3.8 RPG. Ball is also only shooting 29 percent from three and 39 percent from the floor overall.
I will admit it. I was high on Lonzo Ball before this season. I even picked him to win the most improved player in the NBA. Yes, you can laugh at me. I was obviously wrong, but I did have a reason to be optimistic about Lonzo Ball this season. Ball is an elite defender and an elite playmaker, so I figured that with more weapons on his team this season, he would flourish. I was wrong, at least so far. In fact, the more talented the team has gotten, the worse Lonzo has played. I thought Ball’s shooting percentage would get way better too, considering he started shooting very well toward the end of last season. I knew his rebounds would take a hit with Zion Williamson and Steven Adams picking most of those up, but I was almost certain his assists would go up dramatically.
Little did I know that Lonzo would have to play off-ball with Eric Bledsoe playing point guard and running the offense a lot of the time. I didn’t expect Brandon Ingram to bring the ball up for more isolation situations nor did I expect Zion to post up more and score inside without assists in a lot of situations. Ball’s transition to playing a lot of shooting guard was an opportunity to finally show people that he could score and shoot, something people have been very critical of since he entered the NBA. Not only has he continued his shooting woes, but all of a sudden his elite playmaking has diminished as well. Even his defense has taken a little bit of a hit. It seems as if Lonzo does not care enough right now since he is playing so badly. I still think Lonzo has the potential to be great, he just needs to get out of his own head and get his confidence from UCLA back.
Lonzo Ball was easily one of the most talented prospects in recent memory. His playmaking reminded people of Magic Johnson, and being the best player on a 30 win college team at UCLA, his ability to lead a team was never in question. People thought he had fantastic leadership and elite rebounding and defense for his size as well. But once Ball entered the NBA, his assertiveness that he showed off in college all of a sudden disappeared. He seems like he doesn’t want to score, and every year more defenders are starting to realize it and it gets in Ball’s head. His game revolves around getting players open, but if he can’t at least shoot a little bit, then everyone will stay close to their man because they know Lonzo can’t shoot and is looking to pass.
Instead of trying to drop 30 on teams to allow his playmaking to thrive with other players getting open, Ball has just accepted that he can’t score and he keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again. When has doing the same thing over and over again ever worked in life? You have to change things up to keep people on guard of what you can do and how many ways you can attack them. That is the difference between Lonzo and his younger brother LaMelo Ball. LaMelo was a similar prospect to Lonzo with his elite playmaking, his potential on defense(even though he can’t play it yet, he is 6-8), and his ability to rebound and get to the rim at the guard position.
The difference is that playing against much older and better players at a young age forced LaMelo to play with no fear. To attack at all times and never lose his guard, because better and older players would take advantage of that. LaMelo had to play with confidence at all times. Is LaMelo already more talented than his brother? Maybe, but he can’t play elite defense like Lonzo so there is still a definite argument on who is better between the two brothers. But has LaMelo looked way better than Lonzo this season? Yes, and it simply boils down to LaMelo’s assertiveness, where he is on attack mode at all times and plays with no fear whatsoever. Lonzo seems like he is scared when he plays and whenever he misses a shot, you can see his poor play affects him. If audience members like me can notice Ball'‘s negative reactions to his poor play, then defenders can definitely see it and feed off of Lonzo doubting himself.
Now finally, who should make the move for Lonzo Ball? It’s not like his value is that high right now anyway. But he still has a ton of promise and potential and he has shown flashes of that, so teams may still be kind of high on him. I think it is evident that the Pelicans are extremely disappointed in Lonzo Ball. They expected him to at least be a Star in this league, even if he was never going to be a Superstar like Brandon Ingram. They have started to add him to trade conversations to test his value, but that doesn’t ensure he will be traded at all. They have also tested Eric Bledsoe’s value in the market. Maybe with Bledsoe gone, Lonzo will be able to play lead guard the whole game and maybe his confidence will skyrocket. If they do trade him though, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Bledsoe would be playing the majority of the minutes at the guard positions. These are all scenarios that I think could happen with teams that could be very interested in Ball, even if they haven’t inquired about him officially yet.
Trade Scenario #1
Pelicans trade Lonzo Ball and one future second-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Maxi Kleber, Josh Green, and Jalen Brunson.
This deal would be somewhat beneficial to both sides. Josh Green is a young and raw prospect who is years away from seeing his potential come to fruition, Jalen Brunson only gets minutes if Luka Doncic is hurt, and Maxi Kleber is good all around but is replaceable for the Mavericks. They could insert Ball into an offense with Luka Doncic and a bunch of good shooters which should raise Ball’s APG. Luka Doncic’s ability to score whenever he wants, not to mention his elite playmaking would also allow Ball to get many open looks for three and in the drive lane. In return, the Pelicans get a good big man shooter in Maxi Kleber, an incredible role player off of the bench in Jalen Brunson, and a project that could turn out very well in Josh Green. I think both sides are happy with this trade.
Trade Scenario #2
Pelicans trade Lonzo Ball and a 2022 second-round pick to the Warriors for Kelly Oubre.
I think the Warriors would get fleeced here as Kelly Oubre, even with his subpar play this year, has proven to be a much better player than Lonzo, but here’s why the Warriors may do this trade. Oubre has been terrible even if he’s playing better as of late. He can’t shoot well enough to be with the team in the long run when Klay Thompson gets back. Although Ball won’t be able to shoot with the rest of the Warriors he still has elite playmaking and defensive skills which will prove to be very valuable to the Warriors. This is why. We saw the huge difference with the Warriors when Draymond Green came back and provided playmaking and elite defense. His playmaking ability allowed Curry and others to finally get open shots. Before Green returned, Curry was the only playmaker on the court, which hurt his production and ultimately the team’s production. If they get Ball, they would have three elite playmakers in Ball, Curry, and Green which would be havoc for the rest of the league, especially if their playmaking skills can coexist and allow open shots for the rest of the team and each other.
Trade Scenario #3
Pistons trade Delon Wright and Sekou Doumbouya to the Pelicans for Lonzo Ball, Willy Hernangomez, and a 2022 second-round pick.
The Pistons are not going anywhere anytime soon. Delon Wright is great but they might as well get someone like Ball who is younger that can help them in the long run. The Pelicans believe they are competing right now so getting a proven and productive guard like Wright would be a huge part in getting this team to the playoffs. Doumbouya is still young but he doesn’t seem like he is that promising of a prospect, so for receiving Hernangomez(a solid big man) and a second-rounder to go along with Ball, the Pistons would also send a younger player who isn’t in the longterm picture anymore. I think the deal is great for both sides. The Pistons desperately need a playmaker for the future and Lonzo Ball would be that especially if Killian Hayes doesn’t pan out. The Pelicans are trying to compete and a guy like Delon Wright may push them into the playoffs and make the Pels a legitimate threat to better teams in the West.
Trade Scenario #4
Clippers trade Ivica Zubac and Lou Williams to the Pelicans for Lonzo Ball and Nicolo Melli
This trade probably isn’t going to happen like this. I just didn’t want to have the same trade projection as every other site which lists Lou Williams, Patrick Patterson(or another role player), and a second-rounder for Ball. However, Zubac is having a great season and he is young. I know the Pelicans already have Hayes, Zion, and Adams, but adding a scorer like Williams and another dominant big for depth could change the dynamic of this team for the better. The Clippers would get a much-needed playmaker to help get open shots for George, Leonard, Kennard, Batum, and others. Ball would be a fantastic addition to this team and he would be able to thrive because there wouldn’t be much pressure on him. Melli would just be an extra shooting big man off of the bench. Clippers do this trade for Ball.
Trade Scenario #5
Chicago Bulls trade Otto Porter Jr. and Denzel Valentine to the Pelicans for Lonzo Ball.
This is a trade that works for both sides. Otto Porter Jr. is having the best season of his career and he would make this Pelicans team astronomically better. Denzel Valentine has some upside as he has a natural ability to pass and score, but this trade is done for Otto Porter Jr. This trade is also beneficial to the Bulls who need another playmaker desperately to take the load off of Colby White and Zach Lavine. Ball would thrive on a team like Chicago because he would be able to control the offense and get shooters open.
As the trade deadline slowly approaches lets see what happens.