Lonzo Ball is heading for what could be a busy offseason for him. He will be entering restricted free agency and for the first time in his NBA career, he could have some say in where he plays.
Ball has been the subject of NBA trade rumors multiple times in his short time in the league. He was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Pelicans and in March, before the NBA trade deadline, his name was mentioned numerous times.
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As a restricted free agent, the Pelicans have the right to match any contract offer that Ball receives. Based on how popular of a name he was in the rumor mill leading into the trade deadline, he should have no shortage of suitors this summer. But, Ball said that he wouldn’t mind remaining in New Orleans for his next contract.
“That’s a conversation between me and my agent moving forward. But obviously, I would love to be back,” Ball said. “I built a bond here with the coaches and the teammates who are here. I definitely wouldn’t mind coming back at all.”
Ball had the best shooting season of his career in 2020-21. He knocked down 41.4 percent of his shots, 37.8 percent from the 3-point line and 78.1 percent from the foul line, a massive improvement from the 43.7 percent he shot with Los Angeles and 56.6 the first season with the Pelicans.
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The shooting improvement shows that Lonzo Ball is a hard worker, as he tirelessly put in work to get better. His defense remains at a high level and he was accepting of a role change after New Orleans began running more of their offense through Zion Williamson. Williamson would like to have Ball back on the team.
“It’d be dope,” Williamson said of Ball possibly coming back to the Pelicans. “Me, Brandon [Ingram] and Zo, the three of us have a great relationship. I really would want Zo to come back. He knows that.
“But you know, like I said, the reality of the situation is Zo is a grown man, so he’ll make the decision that’s best for him. The only thing I can say is, I hope he stays.”
Lonzo said that he is fine with whatever role his coach, whether it be Stan Van Gundy again or with a new team, puts him in. Van Gundy tested him this season, putting him in a role he had never previously played and he excelled, making his case in free agency for a lucrative contract that much stronger.
