Is Ball in the Pelicans Future Plans
Since Lonzo Ball has come into the league as the number two draft pick back in 2017, it has been a difficult journey for him. Although he constantly had critics saying something about him not being as good as his dad, Lavar Ball, put him out to be, that did not knock him out of his game if anything he took the criticism as motivation to get better. He got in the weight room and bulked up which made him more of an asset on defense.
On July 6, 2019 he got traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans, it was a rough start for him. He was not providing what the people wanted and the team needed from him. Though Ball was providing 7 apg , and a pedestrian 11.8 ppg. the offense looked stagnant. Maybe it was due to Zion not being healthy or Zo and BI not being comfortable in the new offense, either way the Pelicans were not happy. The Pelicans wanted to trade him along with a couple of his other veteran teammates so the rookies can get more playing time, pretty much a rebuild type situation. Lonzo must have taken that as an insult and completely started taking over. Game after game he was leading his team to wins, and having his career high for 3-pointers which is seven! His points per game has jumped up 3 points and his free throw percentage has gone from 56% to a professional looking 76.7%. I know a lot of Zion fans will attribute this to Zion’s return and they will not be completely incorrect. Zion’s dominance since his return to floor has allowed Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball to spread the floor and take over. Brandon Ingram is playing the best basketball of his career and Ball has been taking over when Zion is being doubled teamed. Ever since he has been taking over games leading defensively and just looking like the all around point guard the Pelicans want and need.
Lonzo Ball had changed to being the main subject in talks of trades with the Pelicans to those talks being ¨fizzled down¨. That does not mean he is for sure staying on the New Orleans Pelicans, the deadline is March 25, there is a chance another team will want to put together a great offer sheet. Only time will tell what will happen next. Either way Lonzo Ball has always proven that he can get better through all the hate and criticism he constantly endure.
