Things are certainly heating up with regards to Lonzo Ball's current status with the New Orleans Pelicans. With trade talks rumbling, it is now being reported that the 23-year-old is looking at a $9-million increase in his pay for the 2021-22 campaign. Right now, Ball is set to earn $11 million this season — a figure that could see a significant bump if he gets his way.

According to The Athletic, Ball will value himself as a $20 million per year player once he enters contract negotiations with the Pelicans (if he hasn't already):

The Pelicans’ willingness to discuss Lonzo has everything to do with his own market. That’s a common thread here: It’s not that the team doesn’t like the player, but it may not like him at the price that is likely forthcoming in free agency. To that end, one source who has discussed the Lonzo dynamics with New Orleans said the 23-year-old guard is hoping to make approximately $20 million annually on his next deal (he’s a restricted free agent this offseason).

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That's a hefty price to pay for the Pels, who recently gave Brandon Ingram a max deal. Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams are also set to pocket $18.1 million and $17.1 million, respectively, next season which puts New Orleans in a pretty tight spot salary cap-wise.

If the Pelicans are unable to strike a deal with Ball then he could very well walk away from New Orleans come the offseason. This is the last thing the Pels want, which is why they appear to be gauging the trade market for Ball as they look to potentially cash in on him before it's too late.