Phoenix Suns: 5 trades team should make before deadline
3. Lonzo Ball
With the Los Angeles Lakers going all in on their pursuit of Anthony Davis, the Suns might be able to insert themselves into the exchange. L.A. has incentive to push for a deal now, before the Celtics can get involved or the Knicks have a top draft pick to offer, which means Magic Johnson will have to offer the farm to accelerate the New Orleans Pelicans’ timeline.
The Godfather offer it’d require to sway the Pelicans would certainly have to include Lonzo Ball, but The Athletic‘s Shams Charania reported earlier this week that in the event of a trade, the young point guard would prefer to be moved to a third team without an established point guard.
That description just screams “Phoenix Suns,” and though he wouldn’t have much say in the matter, The Los Angeles Times‘ Tania Ganguli confirmed on Thursday there’d be mutual interest in such a union:
After learning of the Lakers’ offers to the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball’s camp maintains that New Orleans isn’t the desired destination. Phoenix makes the most basketball sense if Ball were to be traded and according to two sources there is mutual interest.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 31, 2019
Like Rozier, Ball fits Phoenix’s timeline for a rebuild at 21 years old. His impressive defense, elite playmaking and exceptional court vision would all make him a great offensive fit next to Devin Booker, and though he’s hardly a 3-point marksman, his field goal and 3-point percentages have improved on his appalling rookie numbers.
The question is, what kind of trade would satisfy both the Pelicans and the Lakers in a three-team blockbuster deal centered around Anthony Davis?
This deal may seem convoluted, but it’s fairly straight forward. The Lakers get their second superstar to pair with LeBron James, along with Darius Miller and Ian Clark to replace the wing depth they’re losing in this exchange.
L.A. has to field a massive offer to convince the Pelicans to move Davis now, surrendering Lonzo to Phoenix and Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to New Orleans, as well as first round picks in 2019 and 2021.
The Suns would toss in T.J. Warren (or Josh Jackson, if the Pelicans preferred him instead) and the top-seven protected first-rounder they’re owed from the Milwaukee Bucks, which should convey in 2020. It seems unwise to include Warren in the middle of a breakout season from 3-point land, but he’s not an encouraging long-term fit because of his lack of playmaking and defense. Phoenix might be wise to sell high on him now.
However, the Pelicans may prefer to stay patient on an Anthony Davis trade until the summer, when the draft lottery is determined and the Celtics can enter the bidding war. In the event that happens, the Suns have no hope of trading for Ball straight up.
Lonzo’s poor shooting could make him a less than ideal fit for the long haul, since he may possess even less scoring upside than Melton. Ball is more established, but also another flawed youngster in need of grooming.