There’s been a lot of discussions recently regarding Lonzo Ball and him being traded for the 2nd time in his career. Lonzo was drafted #2 overall in 2017 and just hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a top 3 pick ever since. In his first stint with the Lakers, he showed little glimpses of living up to the billing of a top pick.
After being traded to the Pelicans, he’s played better scoring-wise, but still not living up to the expectations put on him. It seems like the Pelicans are now exploring potential trades of Lonzo with many teams, here are some trade destinations where I think he’d fit…
Toronto Raptors
I think the Raptors should trade for the young guard and try to develop Lonzo as their point guard of the future. There’s no hiding that Kyle Lowry is getting up there in age and the Raptors need to start looking to the future post-Lowry. Lonzo Ball could be that feature guard for them to get players like Siakam, Boucher, and Anunoby involved in the offense. Lonzo is a great facilitator that can defend at a high level.
They probably won’t have to give much more than a pick and a filler player in my opinion for Ball and they’d be wise to do so.
Golden State Warriors
I think the Warriors should take a look at Lonzo Ball hard as a trade target. Lonzo would give the Warriors another playmaker not named Curry or Draymond that they desperately need. You could either start him at PG and move Curry to SG or have him as the PG off the bench. Lonzo will be able to get players like Wiseman, Curry, and others involved into the offense. Lonzo would be another redemption project that Steve Kerr could take up on like Andrew Wiggins.
It might not be the best for Lonzo’s want to start for a team, but he will be able to play behind a Hall of Famer in Stephen Curry and learn a few things as a starting PG. Lonzo would give the Warriors defense and playmaking they could use.
New York Knicks
Although I like how Immanuel Quickley has looked so far, I think Lonzo fits the Knicks really well. They could either run Lonzo at PG or have him comin off the bench. I like a future backcourt of Lonzo/Barrett or running Barrett at the SF position and having Quickley as the SG. I think the Knicks are a perfect team for Lonzo to develop his game and get a bigger role offensively.
The New York Knicks have been looking for a point guard of the future for a super long time and who knows… Lonzo could be just that for them.
