Despite Lonzo Ball and his camp being hellbent in staying out of New Orleans in any potential trade, the Pelicans envision the Los Angeles Lakers' sophomore as their future starting point guard and consider him as a vital part of any package for Anthony Davis, according to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times.
The Pelicans simply don’t see Jrue Holiday as a point guard because he “doesn’t want to be a point guard,” after making the transformation a season ago when the team brought on Rajon Rondo for the 2017-18 season.
New Orleans envisions Ball would play 35 minutes a night and ensures he “would fit” in with the team, so he could become a star.
The Pelicans will also have interest in other young cogs like Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Ivica Zubac, and are likely to ask for draft pick compensation as well. The Lakers will dart an offer for Davis soon before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, and it could involve a large chunk of their young players.
The Lakers have less than nine full days to get a deal done, knowing fully well that the game changes once the Boston Celtics are allowed back in the sweepstakes come July 1.
Ball, who prefers to be traded to a third team like the Chicago Bulls or the New York Knicks, could be a great fit in New Orleans, liberated from the LeBron James circus and away from the bright lights at Staples Center, but he's resisted the idea after seeing how crowded the team's backcourt is at the moment.
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