New York Knicks: 3 takeaways from the NBA trade deadline

Third takeaway from the trade deadline: Lonzo Ball staying in New Orleans is a win for the Knicks

As a fan, this was the most excited I’ve been about a trade deadline in a long time, and it was kind of a letdown. The idea of Lonzo Ball running fast break for the rest of this season with Randle, RJ, Mitch, and Quickley was enticing to many Knicks fans.

But we have no idea what New Orleans really wanted for Lonzo Ball. Thanks to JJ Redick, we know their front office is full of it. We can assume that Pels exec David Griffin asked for a lot back — if it were reasonable, Lonzo would probably be a Knick, right? — but you know what happens when you assume.

What we know is that Lonzo staying in New Orleans was a good thing for the Knicks. If Ball wound up in Chicago — another rumored Lonzo team — it’d be hard to imagine a scenario where the Bulls didn’t retain the guard long term.

But Lonzo and the Pelicans couldn’t agree on an extension in the offseason, and the rampant trade rumors suggest he may not be in their plans. If New Orleans doesn’t want to pay up for Ball, New York is in a prime position to steal him away with an expensive offer sheet. That beats giving up assets any day.