In an effort to boost production at the point, the Clippers are reportedly exploring options to acquire Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball ahead of the March 25 trade deadline according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Los Angeles is looking for solutions at the point to get some better distribution to star players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as the team makes a push for a championship.
Currently, the Clippers have Reggie Jackson and Patrick Beverley splitting time at the point, however, the duo is only averaging 5.0 assists per game combined while Ball enjoys a career average of 6.4.
But why would New Orleans part with just a four-year player produces and was the prize piece when they dealt away their franchise player in Anthony Davis two years ago?
Well, the Pels don’t have to really do anything. They do, however, have a solid veteran point in Eric Bledsoe but the motivation behind potentially moving Ball could come down to two factors. First, getting second-year man Nickeil Alexander-Walker more playing time, and second, if New Orleans believes Alexander-Walker is the long-term answer at the position, dealing Ball now would probably be the best path forward when you consider he’s set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
This year though Ball is enjoying a career season in terms of points averaging 14.2 per game. He is also shooting 42.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc all of which to are career bests.
However, he’s only averaging 4.2 rebounds per game which is a career-low and his 5.6 assists per game is the second-lowest mark of his career, but still better than what the Clippers have going for them now. Not to mention, you’d have to figure that number would have a better opportunity for improvement given the talent level with the Clippers juxtaposed to that of the Pelicans.