The Pelicans have extended qualifying offers to Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, making them restricted free agents this summer, tweets Andrew Lopez of ESPN.
Ball’s qualifying offer is worth about $14.36MM, while Hart’s is approximately $5.24MM. Those are one-year contract offers that could theoretically be accepted, but Ball and Hart will likely earn more lucrative multiyear deals in free agency.
As long as the Pelicans keep those qualifying offers on the table, they’ll have the ability to match any offer sheet signed by Ball or Hart, and would have the leverage necessary to negotiate a sign-and-trade.
It remains unclear whether either Ball or Hart will return to New Orleans. The Pelicans’ agreement to trade Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams creates some cap flexibility for a bigger free agent acquisition, and the team is said to be eyeing Kyle Lowry and other point guards, including Spencer Dinwiddie.
Ball is unlikely to return if the Pelicans land one of those targets, since he’d probably need to be renounced to clear the necessary cap space. But if New Orleans strikes out on the free agent market, it will be interesting to see how the club handles Ball’s situation. He has been linked to the Bulls, Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, and Knicks, among other teams.
The Pelicans could potentially clear enough space to land a top free agent point guard without renouncing Hart, so he looks – for now – like a decent bet to return to the team.
Luke Adams contributed to this story.
Lonzo Ball feels like someone will do the classic NBA overpay.
If Ben Simmons gets 33 million next year what would be an overpay for Ball?
Their games are very similar as they are both great passers in transition and neither are prolific scorers. While Simmons is a great on ball defender Ball is a very good defender. The main difference Simmons is 5 inches taller so he can take on larger players.
Lonzo willingly takes and makes 3s and last season hit 78% from the line.
Ball seems to care about getting better and improves every season. I can’t say Simmons doesn’t care but so far doesn’t seem to put in the effort.
I think 16-20 million is Ball’s ceiling which may turn out to be an underpay.
Agree. I do think Ball will get somewhere between 18-25 per because someone is going to slightly overpay and wants that true PG. I think the Knicks have a play here, and I’d venture to guess Ball wouldn’t mind making that his destination as well.
I think London & his dad wants him to play for the Bulls & the Bulls want him. Prolly 4 yr 20 million per.
Lonzo! Damn autocucumber!
Bulls need him real bad, I’d say especially with White being out but he was spare parts at best in terms of a PG anyway.
The trade with MEM permits the NOP to match on Ball, without running into the possibility of being a taxpayer as a losing team. It’s clear they don’t see him as core piece moving forward, but the best option now may be to match and figuring it out later. That’s now possible.
Reports say they want their Chris Paul type guy, Ball is only a backup option if the well is dry.
Bulls plan to offer Ball 4 year $80 million.
Celtics prepare to offer Ball too.
How can Celtics offer? SNT?
Celtics can’t offer more than the MLE. An S&T would require giving up.assets that NO wants and Ball wanting Celtics too much complication he will either end up in Chicago or NY unless NO are ublukcy in GA.
Hope the knicks sign ball. Think he is a good player that improves every year . Perfect pg for the knicks and Thib will develop him more. If they can’t sign him then hopefully they sign Dinwiddie.