Bring Lonzo Ball back on a long-term deal
Both Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart are going to be restricted free agents for the Pelicans this offseason, but Ball should definitely be a priority for them to bring back. Not only has he made major strides as an all-around playmaker this year, but his ability to play off-the-ball is what has made him very unique this season.
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Lonzo Ball had been criticized for years for not having a jump shot, but this season, he is shooting a career-best 37.8% from three-point range and is averaging a career-best 14.6 PPG. In his fourth season in the league, Ball has turned himself into a point guard that many teams will look to target when NBA free agency begins this year.
New Orleans may have to pay him $20M+ a year to keep him, but given all the ways he can help this team win games and the fact that he can be their third-best player next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, this move to keep him long-term would make a lot of sense.
Not to mention, Lonzo Ball has proven to be a threat on both ends of the court and since he is only 23-years-old, he is only going to get better as a two-way threat. With or without the ball in his hands, Lonzo Ball has proven that he can be an effective player in the Pelicans system, which is why they need to keep him long-term.
