The New Orleans Pelicans appear ready to lose Lonzo Ball to free agency, but could have plans to replace him with a much more experienced point guard.
There have long been rumors about what direction the Pelicans plan to take and whether they will keep the guard who came from the Lakers as part of the Anthony Davis trade. A new report suggests that New Orleans is unwilling to match what another team would offer for Ball, and is already working on a contingency plan.
Ball’s Price Too High
As the New York Post noted, there have been rumors that the Pelicans are unlikely to match any "significant" offer for Ball.
"The Clippers are reportedly interested in Ball, who’s coming off a strong offensive season with the Pelicans, despite a lackluster 31-41 record," the report noted, adding that other teams are interested as well.
With such a high level of interest, it seems likely that Ball will be looking at a big offer for his next contract — a price that the Pelicans aren’t too keen on paying.
Aiming For Lowry
The New York Post report noted that there is "rising buzz" that the Pelicans will go after 35-year-old guard Kyle Lowry, who is set to become a free agent. Despite his advanced age, Lowry was still among the most efficient at his position, averaging 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game last season.
"Lowry, the longest-tenured Raptor, could add a veteran presence to New Orleans’ young core, under a new head coach following Stan Van Gundy’s firing — as well as playmaking abilities and shooting," the New York Post report noted.
Competition Could Be High
If the Pelicans want to land Lowry, they may need to be prepared to outbid some other teams — and make a strong pitch. With only a few years left in his career, Lowry said it’s important that his next destination be the best one for his family.
"You know, also, money talks and years talk and all that stuff. And let’s be real – I play this game for the love of the game, but at the end of the day, I want to make sure my family is still taken care of for generations and the time to come," he said, via NBA.com.
Ball Headed For New Home
Whatever the Pelicans should choose, it appears increasingly likely that Ball will find a new home next season. K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports noted that he could be headed for the Eastern Conference.
"There is plenty of talk around the league linking Ball to the Knicks if he isn’t retained by the Pelicans. So given that the Bulls engaged in trade talks centered around Ball at the deadline, I’d assume they’d re-engage and monitor the situation," he wrote.
