Lonzo Ball to the Knicks or Bulls? A Possible NBA Trade Before the Deadline

If you know anything about the Ball brothers, then you know their father, LaVar Ball, has more control over his sons than just about anyone else. If you don’t know anything about the Ball family and Lonzo Ball, then go check out their reality TV show, Ball in the Family, and it’ll tell you everything you need to know.

With his youngest son, Lamelo Ball, now in the NBA playing for the Charlotte Hornets, LaVar is working on getting one of his others sons, Lonzo, away from the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I don’t know what they’re gonna do, but I hope he gets traded. I don’t like watching him play like he plays… He can’t stand New Orleans, come on man.”

LaVar Ball on his son, Lonzo Ball

Although Lonzo struggled in his first few years on the Los Angeles Lakers, once he was traded to the Pelicans, he began to put up much better numbers. In his two seasons with Los Angeles, Lonzo averaged 10 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, which seem like good numbers. However, his jump shot was inconsistent, as he shot 38% from the field and 31.5% from three, which was atrocious. Playing with LeBron James under the Los Angeles spotlight was not good for his game, and he was sent to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis trade. Now, in his second year with New Orleans, Ball is having a career year, despite being misused by head coach Stan Van Gundy. Ball is averaging 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. However, his shooting is much better, as he is making 43% of his shots from the field and sniping 39% from three.

It is clear to everyone that LaVar wants Lonzo on the Hornets, as his dream, which has been stated repeatedly, is to have all three Ball brothers on the same team in the NBA so that they can mimic the success they had in high school at Chino Hills. In the one year where all the brothers played together, they played one of the toughest schedules in the country and went 35-0, finishing the year with a state championship and national championship.

Realistically, if the Pelicans are looking to ship Ball out, the two teams that make the most sense are the Bulls and the Knicks. The Chicago Bulls need a playmaker and point guard with experience. Their current starter at that position is Coby White. No disrespect to Coby, I love him, I think his game is great, but Lonzo is simply a better player. Unfortunately, finding a trade package might be difficult, as the one player who seems to be on Ball’s level is Lauri Markannean. It wouldn’t make much sense for the Pelicans to acquire another power forward, as they already have Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Steven Adams.

The New York Knicks, on the other hand, are a big market team (which matters a ton to LaVar) and have trade assets to offer to the Pelicans, such as Austin Rivers, Elfrid Payton, Mitchell Robinson, and an arrangement of picks. Realistically, the Pelicans are not going to want to trade Lonzo in the middle of him having such a great season, and if he does leave for another team, it will be in the summer of 2021, when he is a restricted free agent. NBA players, coaches, and analysts make comments like this all the time when they are unhappy or to stir up controversy, so one wouldn’t expect to think much of it. However, when it’s LaVar Ball, everything he says is scrutinized and looked at under a microscope. Some of the bigger claims he has made is that Lonzo Ball is better than Steph Curry, his company, Big Baller Brand is worth billions of dollars (this was a few years ago), and that he could beat Michael Jordan in a game of one on one.

Do you think Lonzo will leave the Pelicans? Let me know what you think in the comments below, don’t forget to follow the blog, and as always, have an awesome day!