Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball may be on the move at the trade deadline, a possibility that could be predicated on the fact that Ball is hoping to make around $20MM annually on his next deal, per Sam Amick of The Athletic. The 6’6″ UCLA alum, 23, is currently earning $11MM in the final season of his rookie deal, and will enter restricted free agency this summer.
Ball is enjoying the best scoring season of his career, averaging a career-high 14.2 PPG. He is connecting on a career-high 42.5% of a career-most 12.1 field goal looks a night, including a career-best 38.5% from long range on a career-most 7.8 three-point looks a night. His 76.7% free throw percentage is also leagues beyond his previous high of 56.6%, though the volume remains modest (1.1 attempts a night).
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Mavericks point guard Tyrell Terry is not traveling with Dallas at present for personal reasons, Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News tweets. “I don’t have any timetable for him being back,” head coach Rick Carlisle said of Terry. The rookie, who has appeared in 11 games for Dallas, has been sidelined from the team for the past seven contests.
- Though Pelicans swingman Sindarius Thornwell has run out of 10-day contracts with New Orleans, he may latch on with the club for the rest of the year as early as this Friday, depending on what trade deadline transactions transpire for the Pelicans by Thursday, per Andrew Lopez of ESPN (Twitter link). The 6’4″ wing has appeared in 14 games for New Orleans this season.
- Grizzlies reserve center Gorgui Dieng, who has been out of the lineup for almost a month, seems more likely to be bought out than be traded due to his hefty $17.3MM expiring deal, per Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Though Dieng has some appeal as a lengthy stretch big man, connecting on a career-best 47.9% from long range this season, his salary may preclude a deal. The Grizzlies have prioritized rookie big man Xavier Tillman Sr., the No. 35 pick in the 2020 draft out of Michigan State, over Dieng in their rotation.
Knicks or Mavs are going to offer Lonzo $100 million contract
It’s like Hawks overpaid Bogdanovic
Duncan Robinson is hot too
You got overpaid if you are hot
Not the Knicks lol. Dinwiddie is better and cheaper. Plus Lonzo wants to come to NY. In FA after making 11 mill. Why wouldn’t he take 15 mill plus the NYC exposure. Long run he’ll make a lot more on an up n coming Knicks team. Me personally I’m not sure about Lonzo.
No one wants to go to NY and Lonzo hates the exposure
I want to go to NY, but mostly for pizza and the fries at Nathan’s. But can’t travel now from my home in Thailand.
I think lonzo is brought back next summer once lakers renounce schroder. Just my thought but rich Paul guys usually wind up on lebrons teams. Keep in mind rumors are swirling of lakers clearing future cap space to be able to sign players like talon and caruso this offseason.
Via bird rights yes …Lakers cant sign anybody that isnt in their org for anything substantial next offseason
If Lonzo Ball truly believes that there is an NBA team willing to pay him $20 million per year ….. then he is crazier than his father. …. Lonzo just isn’t that good. He is a so-called point guard who doesn’t elevate the level of play for his teammates. New Orleans is clearly the Zion and Brandon Ingram show. Lonzo is just another dude on the floor.
yea… you’re a casual
Ball is a LOCK to get paid this summer. I don’t know how much, but it will probably be a lot.
He’s solid defensively, he’s shooting well, he’s a very good passer, he’s tall for his position, and he still has upside. He’s also ranked 18th in BPM among all PGs this season, 12th in VORP, and again he’s a young player at the toughest position in the NBA.
If Ball doesn’t get paid, it will be because of some crippling injury (heaven forbid). He’s a good – not great – young PG who will be a solid rotation player for the next five years (at least). And he *could* be even better in the right situation.
Wow! The player that you are describing sounds EXACTLY like what the Pelicans are looking for to balance out the front court duo of Zion/Brandon Ingram. Lonzo Ball is not that good. There is a reason why New Orleans has no intention whatsoever of paying Lonzo Ball.
Ryan Anderson got paid $20M/year in 2016, so why can’t Lonzo now?
You answered your own question.
Is it wrong that I saw Terry and thought it was Jason?
nope. your orientation of time or year is a little wrong ✌
Me too lol
I like lonzo.good playmaker and defender.i love if my bulls get him.but not for 20m/year.maybe 15-17m.
What else they gonna spend it on? Lousy Markannen?
The kid has potential, 80M/4y might be a great deal in two years
honestly if your team is in a rebuild hole like the bulls or the twolves might as well invest se of you cap in what might be a lotto ticket rather than any free agent over the age of 26 who you’re spending market for.
Lonzo right now is a $15M player, and you’re paying extra due to his age. People seem to think a player has to show his value, well look at how much he’s improved. That and keep in mind he’s gonna be balling with his brother ever summer to improve ala seth curry.
Lonzo can’t shoot and no longer plays defense ….. Who is paying/clogging up $15-20 million a year in salary cap space for that??? Pelicans are searching for a 3rd star to go along Zion and Brandon Ingram and they can’t get rid of Lonzo fast enough. Why has Lonzo still not been traded??? Because they cannot find a taker for him. Who is giving up a draft asset for a player that you will not re-sign next year???? Lonzo is a bum. His little brother has now surpassed him and he is only a rookie.
Zo is one of the best shootin’ PG’s in the league – 39% treys – just keep on h8ting, that what you do in every one of your posts unless you talk ’bout the pathetic no good for no nothin’ LAC!!!
Just in rumors
Clippers are now seeking for 4 team trade to get Lonzo
Excellent ideal
Allow 3rd team and 4th team to offer assets
If it’s me, I’d do five team trade
Someone to take Redick contract too
Bulls offer Lauri and Carter jr
Raptors offer Powell
And more
Clips will have a hard time making that work, they just don’t have the cap room.
Why would the Bulls offer Carter when Lauri alone works for matching purposes? They are already short-handed at center. Maybe if NO throws in Jaxson Hayes as well.
Come to think of it, why not just add Otto Porter and Steven Adams and forget about Hayes and Carter? That would be a good trade for both teams.
Dieng is gonna be sought after if he becomes available in the buy-out.