The New Orleans Pelicans are likely to move on from Lonzo Ball this offseason, and the list of teams interested is growing.
While the NBA Draft might have been overshadowed by the absolute insanity surrounding baseball, that didn’t mean basketball wasn’t capable of producing some rumors of its own.
NBA free agency will help reset some power throughout the league, and one of the top names hitting the market is New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball.
After trading Steve Adams, the Pelicans are in a position to go after a top free agent guard like Kyle Lowry. Following the Lakers trade for Russell Westbrook on Thursday, the likelihood that the Pelicans can land Lowry has increased.
It’s not a certainty but it’s much more likely than it was before.
One thing that does seem certain is the idea that the Pels are going to move on from Lonzo.
During Stadium’s NBA Draft Show, Shams dropped a nugget about his upcoming free agency and what might happen once free agency begins. Aside from the Chicago Bulls, Shams identifies the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors as possible destinations.
“Chicago, we know all about their interest going back to the trade deadline, but I’m throwing in two more teams,” Shams reported. “Boston and Toronto … along with Indiana.”
Shams also notes that the deal for Lonzo could exceed $20 million per season — a pretty penny, indeed.
An important thing to note is that Lonzo is a restricted free agent, which increases the likelihood of a sign-and-trade that nets the Pelicans some sort of return for letting him walk. Where that gets extra interesting is with the Raptors supposed interest.
If Lowry is on the radar of the Pelicans and they don’t want to get into a bidding war with the Sixers or someone else, a sign-and-trade that swaps Lonzo for Lowry might be something to consider.