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Lonzo Ball is going to be a sought-after man in the upcoming NBA Free Agency, as rumors suggest the New Orleans Pelicans are not planning to extend his contract. Ball is a gritty defender and smart playmaker and could be a key piece for various contenders across the league.
2021 NBA Free Agency: 5 teams who should make a swoop fpr Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball has looked in good touch this season, tallying 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He is also averaging 1.3 steals per night and shooting a career-high 38.5% from the 3-point range, making him a lethal threat on both ends of the floor. There are several teams on the lookout for a point guard, and these are the five teams who could be a good fit for the former LA Lakers man.
#5 Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have been active in the market lately, and there is a high possibility the management will continue to be aggressive in NBA free agency. The team has already been linked with Lonzo Ball, and it has been reported the former LA Lakers star intends to join the six-time NBA champions.
Zach LaVine could use a defensive-minded guard who can play off the ball, giving the Chicago Bulls main man more freedom to concentrate on scoring. Ball is also a gifted passer and playmaker, and would upgrade the Bulls backcourt to one of the best in the league on paper.
#4 New York Knicks
Another franchise Lonzo Ball has been linked with are the New York Knicks, who have made steady progress this season. Despite their strong showing, coach Thibodeau has missed the presence of a true point guard in the starting lineup, as the team has relied on the duo of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett to generate offense.
Austin Rivers and Derrick Rose are on the roster to fulfill playmaking duties, but the team still lacks a pure passer who can make plays in the halfcourt. Lonzo Ball is the perfect option for the New York Knicks in NBA free agency, as the guard's rugged defense aligns with the head coach's philosophy.
#3 Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have found it difficult in the absence of Klay Thompson, who has served as a brilliant off-the-ball option at the 2-wing spots for years. Kelly Oubre Jr., his replacement, has been underwhelming, making just 30% of his attempts from deep.
The Warriors can replace Oubre Jr. with Lonzo Ball, a more consistent option to have alongside Stephen Curry. The 2-time MVP has the experience of playing off-ball, meaning Steve Kerr can hand the keys of the offense to Ball and let Curry play as a scorer, a role in which he has thrived this campaign.
#2 Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have done some smart business lately, adding the likes of Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee to an already stacked roster. But there is still one piece missing from the setup: the presence of a defensive-minded guard who can slot in with Jamal Murray in the starting 5.
Will Barton has played that role so far, but he prefers to operate as a forward, making Ball a much better fit. The Nuggets' offense runs through Nikola Jokic, and Lonzo Ball can deputize for him in a similar capacity if the Serbian decides to take a back seat during games. Ball won't meddle with the Denver Nuggets' spacing either, making him a must-have player for last year's Western Conference finalists.
#1 LA Clippers
There was a lot of talk about the Clippers looking to add a point guard, which culminated with Tyronn Lue opting to trade 3-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams for championship-winning veteran guard Rajon Rondo.
Rondo was part of the LA Lakers team that won the 2020 NBA Championship and is known to elevate his game during the postseason. But he is on an expensive 2-year, $15 million per year deal, which could complicate things for Lawrence Frank.
The LA Clippers can replace Rajon Rondo with Lonzo Ball, who is a younger option and has shown active hands on defense throughout his career. The New Orleans Pelicans guard could share the playmaking load with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Ball has impressed this season, and the LA Clippers have the potential to be a much better team with him in the lineup.
Guess the Lakers players!
