Miami Heat: 5 realistic free-agent targets this offseason
By Simon Smith
Miami Heat free-agent target 2. Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 23
2020-21 salary: $11 million
One of the more intriguing prospects in the upcoming free agency class, Lonzo Ball is certain to attract plenty of appeal. At 6’6″ and possessing a 6’9″ wingspan, Ball is a unique type of point guard with his ability to influence the game at both ends of the floor. While he’s a terrific passer, Ball does not dominate the ball in a traditional sense, a terrific fit alongside the playmaking abilities of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
An improving perimeter shooter, Ball averaged a career high 14.6 points with the New Orleans Pelicans this past season, which included hitting on 37.8 percent of his 3-pointers on 8.3 attempts per game, with both of these also the best return of his career. Notably, this was despite Ball’s touches per game dropping from 82.7 to 76.7, with the Pelicans increasingly handing the offense and ball-handling duties over to second-year All-Star Zion Williamson.
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As a result of a more off-the-ball role, Ball’s assist numbers numbers dropped from 7.0 to 5.7 per game, however his catch-and-shoot returns prospered, hitting at a 40.2 percent clip from long range on almost six attempts per outing.
While Ball’s outside shooting has certainly grown, he’s still susceptible to periods of maddening inconsistency. Over the first 10 games of this past season, the restricted free agent shot a 28.2 percent from long distance, only to respond over the ensuing 22 games and shoot the long ball at an elite 44.3 percent clip. But the one thing that is certain is that Ball has the propensity to post some absolutely jaw-dropping stat lines.
In 2020-21, the players with the most games of at least 27 points, eight assists and seven 3-pointers were as follows, per Stathead:
5 – Stephen Curry
4 – Damian Lillard
3 – Lonzo Ball
The No. 2 overall pick in 2017 by the Los Angeles Lakers, Ball has yet to appear in a playoff game, and at just 23, his potential is still largely untapped. Playing alongside a core of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Ball’s ability to both handle the rock and also spot for open looks, whilst proving a long body at the defensive end, could prove an intriguing fit in South Florida.