Lonzo Ball is one of the hottest names in the business market as we set the deadline for 3 pm ET on Thursday. A myriad of factors are at stake as to whether Ball is traded or remains in New Orleans, and perhaps the main one is Ball’s status as a restricted free agent this summer.
If New Orleans keeps him, he knows that he will have to match any offer he receives on the open market to avoid losing him for nothing, as well as a team potentially giving up assets to trade for him before the deadline. How high are the teams willing to go to Lonzo? How much does Lonzo want?
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For the last question, Sam Amick of The Athletic is reporting that Ball is “hoping to earn approximately $ 20 million annually in his next deal”. It is a realistic number. If Ball doesn’t understand, he will get something close. He has become a very deadly ball pitcher, who can adequately support high-use stars, and his versatile defense fits anywhere. He is still only 23 years old. If he develops as an in-the-paint finisher, he may still have the All-Star upside.
Potential suitors, who are said to be numerous, are evaluating all of this while considering bringing Ball on board not only for the rest of this season, but potentially extending the wedding for another four years at a high price for an accessory offensive option.
The Philadelphia 76ers is among the teams that show interest in Ball, by Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN, perhaps as a backup plan if they fail to take Kyle Lowry. Clippers, Nuggets and Knicks were also linked to Ball. The Sixers would be an interesting fit. Ball would bring the kick in support of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and represent one more defender, but he is not the pick-and-roll / half-court ace they need.
After all this talk, he doesn’t rule out that Ball stayed in New Orleans. In fact, this may be the most likely outcome. The Pels like Ball, obviously. It fits in support of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram and exists in the right timeline. If the Pelicans change it, it will be largely a financial decision. We will see if another team is willing to go higher than the Pelicans can tolerate.