New York Knicks Receive: G Lonzo Ball
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Alec Burks, G Frank Ntilikina, DAL 2021 1st Round Pick
The Pelicans are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league this season through 15 games, but adding Alec Burks and Frank Ntilikina could really help their perimeter game.
Burks recently signed with the Knicks this past offseason and cannot be traded until February 18th, but a trade involving Lonzo Ball would likely not occur until near the NBA trade deadline in March anyways.
In five games with the Knicks this year, Burks is averaging 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and is shooting 52.2% from three-point range. Over the course of his career, Alec Burks has shot 36.7% from three-point range and can be an excellent addition for the Pelicans on the wing to be one of their scoring leaders off-the-bench behind both Brandon Ingram and J.J. Redick in the rotation.
Frank Ntilikina is a guy who has never really got a shot to prove himself with the Knicks, but possesses a lot of potential to be a solid two-way player, especially in a defensive-style system in New Orleans. While the Pelicans likely would not want to add another point guard to their roster, the lengthy Ntilikina has a lot of potential to grow into a really solid player, unlike during his time with the Knicks.
For the Knicks, both guys do not hold much value moving forward for this organization, but a guy like Lonzo Ball does. Winning now is extremely important for the Knicks as they have tried to lure some big names in free agency to “The Big Apple” over the years, but no superstar player wants to play for a losing franchise.
So far this year, they look like a potential playoff team in the East and the addition of Lonzo Ball should be enough to earn them the 7-seed or 8-seed in the Eastern Conference. Not only does this help attract some big names to the Knicks moving forward, but Lonzo Ball is in the final year of his contract and the Knicks would have the leverage when it comes to either re-signing him or letting him go in free agency to free up cap space.
Overall, this trade benefits both teams as the Pelicans get the perimeter shooting they need around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to potentially make the playoffs in the West and the Knicks get the playmaker they so desperately need to try and make the playoffs in the East.
