NBA Trade Rumors: 10 potential trade candidates on expiring contracts

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 26: General Manager Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks with General Manager Rafael Stone of the Houston Rockets during warm ups before the game against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center on December 26, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

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NBA trade rumors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Potential trade candidate No. 2: Lonzo Ball

A few weeks ago, Shams Charania of The Athletic (paywall) reported that the New Orleans Pelicans have engaged in trade talks for Lonzo Ball. Ball is a 6’6″ point guard who has struggled offensively through the first three-plus years of his NBA career.

Last season he finally started showing signs of life after reworking his shooting form, shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range after shooting 30.5 and 32.9 percent his first two years in the league. He’s shooting 37.2 percent from behind the arc through his first 20 games of the season.

Though his assists and rebounds are down this year, he’s averaging a career-best 13.5 points per game while also posting career-highs in field goal percentage (42.1 percent), free throw percentage (66.7), and his 50.5 percent conversion rate on two-point field goals is also a career-high.

After selecting guards Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis in back-to-back drafts, combined with the fact that the front office never offered Ball a contract extension, his time with the Pelicans seems to be coming to an end.

The jury is still out on what type of player the former second overall pick will be when he peaks, but right now, he can shore up the backcourt of numerous teams while adding playmaking, defense, and perimeter shooting. Not sure what type of return the Pelicans will be looking to get for Ball, but it looks like teams are interested for the time being.