The Clippers remain in the market for a play-maker at the point guard position and are exploring possible avenues to acquire Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball before the March 25 trade deadline, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
Ball, 23, has been the subject of off-and-on trade rumors this season as he nears restricted free agency. He has developed a nice chemistry with Pelicans star Zion Williamson and has the potential to continue improving, but New Orleans will have to decide whether or not it wants to pay big money to retain him a long-term deal this offseason.
While the Pelicans would have the ability to match any offer Ball receives in restricted free agency, they may only be comfortable up to a certain price point. If they’re concerned about a team extending an offer sheet that exceeds that price point, it would make sense to see what they could get in return for Ball now, especially since their 17-24 record has them slipping out of the playoff race.
[RELATED: Knicks said to be “heavily” on Ball’s radar]
Ball is averaging a career-high 14.2 PPG on .425/.385/.767 shooting (all career highs) to go along with 5.6 APG and 4.2 RPG in 38 games (31.7 MPG). He has played more off the ball this season, something his father LaVar Ball griped about in a recent appearance on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles. As Christian Clark of NOLA.com details, the outspoken Ball patriarch expressed a desire to see the Pelicans trade his son.
The Clippers are having another strong season, currently holding a top-four seed in the West with a 26-16 record. However, they’ve long been on the lookout for some extra play-making — Paul George (5.3 APG) and Kawhi Leonard (4.9 APG) currently lead the team in assists. Veteran point guards Terry Rozier, George Hill, and Ricky Rubio have been cited as possible targets for L.A.
If the Clippers make a move for a player earning a mid-level salary or higher, Lou Williams ($8MM) may have to be one of the outgoing pieces. All of the team’s players making more than $5MM are part of the regular rotation and aren’t necessarily expendable, which will make it challenging to swing a deal.
As Stein points out (via Twitter), the Clippers’ lack of draft assets may also complicate their pursuit of Ball and other point guard targets. If the club makes a push for Ball, it may require a three-team construction, Stein adds.
Would be a great pick-up, imo, for the Clippers. Kid is learning how to play. Clippers could definitely use his skill-set with the pieces they already have.
They have nothing to trade…
Agreed the Clippers would have to offer multiple picks. They also don’t have young talent to send back.
No no man. People are tripping over themselves to get a piece of Luke Kennard
This trade deadline needs to get here soon. Every player is being rumored to go to any team in the top ten. Most is just stabs in the dark by sport writers.
It’s an absolute shame that New Orleans got that top pick to get Zion. Waste of a franchise
What did you expect? A Pelicans dynasty?
Who are clips sending out in the trade?? Pelicans dont need Lou Will or Beverley, and they definitely don’t need that 64 mil bald white dude. Clips dont have picks either, traded them all for pandemic P
It won’t happen unless 3td team helps Clippers
Clippers have no avail assets to get Ball
They would be flipping one of their players to a third team for probably a draft pick.
I’d consider taking Luke. You’re paying JJ the same money for the same skillset.
Maybe Lou Williams, Kabengele, and 2022 Atlanta 2nd round pick to OKC for George Hill
Or Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Kabengele, and that Atlanta 2nd round pick for George Hill? Mayne add the Clippers own 2024 2nd round pick for them taking on Kennard?
I feel like George Hill would be a strong fit for them, although I think they would likely be better off if they could grab a backup wing defender more than a guard. Kabengele is pretty much their best asset though, besides 2nd round picks, and they already have devalued him by not playing him and declining his option
George Hill seems much more realistic than Lonzo. Clippers have hardly any picks. OKC would probably deal him for a 2nd rounder.
New Orleans has already said he isn’t being traded. Clips have no one to trade and no good picks.
Portland, Denver, GS, Washington off the top of my head would make a lot of sense for Ball if New Orleans moves him. I guess it depends on what he is looking for in free agency b/c the argument is there for them not moving him. I dont think they can afford to lose Josh Hart defensively, so that likely is a big thing to consider.
Personally I just think it might be that Ball and Bledsoe probably shouldnt start next to each other, at least not while they have a big like Steven Adams next to Zion. Their spacing is poor at times, and they could use at least another defender on the wing, and probably a defender that can backup at the 4
I feel like its financially a little weird to match salaries for all of those teams, but the fit is there…that being said there are still a couple of FAs that would help those teams similarly, so not sure how that weighs next to a trade for Ball
Heat could actually also make sense, if you added a piece or 2…Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota, and Milwaukee also arguably make a little bit of sense in some way
Biggest problem for Lonzo in NOP is exactly what his dad Lavar said yesterday. He must have passed the ball to Bledsoe and others for wide open bricks in the corner atleast 4-5 times last night. Agreed there is no deal in LAC for Ball, but Hill isn’t far fetched. I like what NYK can offer for Ball, plus they can absorb Reddick (maybe Bledsoe, bad idea) as a bonus for NOP, which might be enough to put NYK over the top of other offers. Maybe save a pick with Bledsoe. He is really awful. I’d probably play Isaiah Thomas over him.
Yup. There is a reason teams didn’t hesitate to deal him. Bledsoe isn’t that good.
Only Miami makes sense. Those other teams lack a structure other then Milwaukee. And the bucks already have Holiday.
Yeah I’m interested in buying a Lamborghini but I don’t have enough money, just like the clippers don’t have any picks to trade for Lonzo…
Beverley + reggie perry + 2nds
Half the nba could top that offer
Reggie Perry is on the Nets…
That’ll get you at least Payton Pritchard if not Frank Mason Jr
I’d love go see it but the clippers don’t have a sweet deal to entice the Pels with. How about Kendrick Nunn,Bradley & 2022 & 2024 pick for Lonzo???
Lonzo belongs in a system with a culture and a team that has a plan…
Knicks can easily outbid Clippers
Payton, Rivers and Knicks 2021 First
Add that Clippers and Knicks fake swap to the deal
Only way Clippers could swing that is with a third team. It would be a nice move if you move Beverley. I think Hill is more realistic. Or even go and get Rondo. Don’t seem like it’s working in Atlanta.
Rondo to LAC sounds appealing for LAC. Trade Kennard or Kabengele. A.Holiday’s reported price of a 1st is a joke, and I don’t suggest trading him for Rondo, but Holiday was most productive under Nate Mac. Maybe Warren/Holiday for Bogdanovich or Gallinari, and a 2nd, maybe 2 changes hands. Warren would be a gamble and Hunter back-up next season. Warren, Huerter, Reddish, Hunter for a wing platoon is not bad. Indy Hasn’t been the same since their last Bogdanovich.
Rather have Dinwiddie than Ball. Not sure about Ball on Knicks anymore. I’m sure I don’t want to trade for him. I take Dinwiddie, Rozier before Ball. Or just wait for draft. There should be one there for us Duke, Dosunmu both I like.
I’d wait to see what Dinwid looks like after the ACL. He ain’t the youngest guy in the world either…
It wasn’t the more serious one. He should be back ok.
I like the thought process but clippers have less assets than lakers do, and no young talent worth trading for. George hill, Rajon rondo or Eric Bledsoe are more in there price range. Still any of those guys would be an upgrade over what they have currently.
I’m still hoping lakers bring lonzo back next offseason and let Schroeder go (not sure but if they renounce denis early they have the cap space to sign lonzo 15-20 per season doubt Pelicans go that high also lonzo has rich Paul as agent) lonzo alongside lebron and ad is nasty, lonzo plays great permitter defense.
Schroeder plays great perimeter defense as well
Lakers don’t have enough money to retain all our own let alone go outside the organization
I think Schroeder for better or worse will be the Lakers PG the next 3~4 years considering their constraints/abilities in the market
We will see if they can’t get something do before free agency don’t be surprised to see lonzo back on roster. I expect kuzma to be delt at deadline or this summer for additional cap space as well
I cant Imagine their best offer not being laughable relative to what 5-10 other teams would offer in pre-lims 5 mins prior in talks for Lonzo as NO was scouring the phones