Will the Knicks trade for Lonzo Ball?
At this year’s trade deadline, there may not have been a more prominent rumor than the possibility of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball potentially being traded to the Knicks.
While Leon Rose did not end up making the move before the deadline passed, he has not ruled out the possibility of making the move in this upcoming offseason.
Ball’s ability to slow down and control the tempo of the game and play great defense has shown to not fit the offense that the Pelicans run, as the team ranks 14th in the NBA in pace of play per StatMuse.
On the other hand, the Knicks rank last in pace of play, as they notoriously love to run at a slow and methodical pace and control the game defensively. This is one of the many reasons why Ball is a dream fit under coach Thibodeau as his starting point guard.
This season, Ball, at only 23 years of age, averages 14.2 points per game to go with 5.6 assists on 41.9% from the field along with an astounding 37.6% from three. He checks all the boxes a head coach can want, as he can shoot the ball, facilitate, while also playing lockdown defense all at a very high level.
Ball is also a player who has been in the spotlight for basically his whole life, even before he made it to the NBA, which has prepared him to thrive in a big market such as New York.
All things considered, Lonzo Ball and the Knicks are a match made in heaven and he can be the Knicks anchor at the point guard position for years to come.