NBA Trade Rumors: Lonzo Ball Could Be Returning To Hollywood With Clippers

The New Orleans Pelicans are spiraling at this point of the 2020-21 NBA season with a lot of the young guns drawing heavy criticism.

Each time this happens, it comes as no surprise that trade talk will follow.

Of all the players on the Pelicans roster, the attention is on Lonzo Ball. He is headed to free agency once his current deal runs out, and there is no clarity on whether he will stay in New Orleans.

Though he has been criticized for his atrocious shooting form, it remains that the 23-year-old remains one of the young promising playmakers the league has to date.

Furthermore, Ball has proven to be a good compliment to sophomore Zion Williamson. Though the latter appears to be struggling, it may only be a matter of time until he can recall the performance that endeared him to fans last season.

As for Ball, his offense is noticeable. He is shooting below 40% and barely 30% from beyond the arc.

Also known to be a good passer, the 6-foot-6 guard has seen a dip in that department. From career-averages of 6.5 assists, he is only norming 4.7 this NBA season.

Regardless, there are multiple teams allegedly inquiring of his availability, Shams Charania of the Athletic reported. New Orleans seems open to anything, and this could pave the way for players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis to strut their way into Stan Van Gundy’s rotation.

The teams interested in Ball were not mentioned. However, there were hypothetical destinations for the second overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Among the potential landing spots suggested include the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns among others.

If a Ball trade does go down, it all boils down to which team is badly in need of a point guard. From the suggested list of teams, the Clippers and Sixers could make sense.

A return to Los Angeles makes sense to give Patrick Beverly some help. Ball’s savvy facilitating could boost the franchise’s campaign.

The Sixers could also make sense. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons could use a playmaker to help set them up better. But with Philly, it raises questions on Ball’s fit.

Nothing is definite for now. It all depends if Ball and the Pelicans have a mutual interest in continuing their relationship. Right now, there is no indication that both are at odds of sealing a new deal.