The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in signing Lonzo Ball.
The New Orleans Pelicans point guard will be a free agent this summer, and the Pelicans are unable to match a significant offer for Ball.
Ball, who turns 24 in October, averaged 14.6 points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. His 14.6 points was a career-high, and he improved his three-point shooting (37.8 percent).
The Pelicans finished the regular season 31-41 and missed out on the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.
The Clippers had previously shown interest in the point guard. Before the March trade deadline, the team explored potential deals, but no trade was drawn up. However, the Clippers will have a tough time exploring ways to either trade or sign the soon-to-be restricted free agent. Los Angeles will be unable to sign Ball if All-Star Kawhi Leonard re-signs with the team. It would put the team over the salary cap.
A sign-and-trade deal could be used, but the Clippers do not have the assets to pull it off. The Clippers gave up the majority of their valuable assets when they traded for Paul George. The Pelicans will not be interested in any of the Clippers’ veterans if a sign-and-trade deal were to happen. Additionally, Los Angeles is not the only team interested in the young point guard. The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are among other interested teams. They also have more assets to give New Orleans in exchange for Ball’s services.
The young point guard could be a good fit with the Clippers. The 24-year-old has experience playing next to a ball-dominant scorer in Brandon Ingram. Ball would have no trouble playing alongside Leonard and George if Los Angeles is able to put together a fair offer.
