NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers May Pull Trade For New Orleans Pelicans Guard

For teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, the season is over and it is back to the drawing board. That includes figuring out who stays and who goes. One player that will be in focus is Lonzo Ball, someone who is reportedly drawing interest from other teams.

The 23-year-old is set to hit restricted free agency and is expected to be the hotly pursued NBA players. But per Lonzo Ball, sticking it out with the Pelicans where he has built a special bond is an option. The second overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers weighed in on that possibility, ESPN reported.

“That’s a conversation for me and my agent moving forward. But obviously I would love to be back,” he said. “I built a bond here with the coaches and the teammates who are here. I definitely wouldn’t mind coming back at all.”

However, not all are convinced that the 6-foot-6 guard will still be with the Pelicans next season. Lonzo’s father, LaVar Ball, wants his son to play elsewhere. A reason behind that is because he wants to see his son score more rather than become a defensive specialist.

One team that could take interest in Lonzo Ball is the Los Angeles Clippers. The point guard position is something that needs addressing, currently alternative by Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverly. But the reality is that Tyronn Lue needs a young guard who can fill that slot on a long-term basis.

Rondo is a proven player but is considered a short-term solution. Beverly has been struggling to get healthy, making a Lonzo Ball coming to the Clippers sensible.

In another report from ESPN, a sign-and-trade deal involving Ball could make sense. The Pelicans could make a qualifying offer to the California native. But if other teams pitch something higher and the Clips opt not to match, that could very well set the tone for a Lonzo Ball exit.