One prediction for every NBA team at the NBA Trade Deadline
By Corey Rausch
New Orleans Pelicans – Sell
The designation of buy or sell for the New Orleans Pelicans feels more arbitrary here. It comes down more to how you feel about Lonzo Ball than anything. If you like him and think he should be a part of the Pelicans’ future this feels like a sell. Should you not be a Ball believer this feels like buying.
A trade to the Chicago Bulls feels like a plausible outcome. They had expressed interest early on and it was been reported of late the Klutch, the agency representing Ball, considers that the preferred destination for the guard.
Related Story. 3 best Lonzo Ball trade destinations. light
If Lauri Markkanen is involved in the deal it would feel like a win for both sides. Markkanen had been better before his recent injury and would be well-suited as a third option. He is also the perfect big man to play next to the paint-focused Zion Williamson.
If Markkanen is not involved, as I predict he would not be, this is a sell for the Pelicans. Lonzo Ball was rather good before the pause of the season last year and has not been put into a position to succeed paired with Eric Bledsoe and the organization dropping hints at favoring Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. Personally I would try to keep Ball and move on from Bledsoe but Stan Van Gundy does not seem to agree.