The Detroit Pistons are looking for potential stars and there might be one available in Lonzo Ball.
The Detroit Pistons will always struggle to add elite free agents, which is why trading for a star is their best chance to get one. Lonzo Ball may not be a star yet, but he has potential and might be availalbe.
The New Orleans Pelicans are off to a slow start and Lonzo Ball has not played well in Stan Van Gundy’s new offense.
SVG has largely taken the ball out of Lonzo’s hands in favor of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the two cornerstones of their franchise.
This is not a good situation for Lonzo Ball, who is a pass-first point guard who needs the ball in his hands to be effective.
The Pelicans also lack depth off their bench, so the Pistons might be able to pry Lonzo Ball away without giving too much away.
Detroit Pistons: What a Lonzo Ball trade would look like
The Pelicans would love to get Saddiq Bey or maybe even Mason Plumlee from the Pistons, but Bey ain’t happening and Plumlee is not enough to get Lonzo Ball.
Here is a trade that could work for both teams:
In this trade, the Pelicans add two scorers to their bench depth, as well as a protected 1st round pick.
The Pistons get to take a chance on a potential star point guard who fits with what they already have and could be part of the core if he decides to stay.
Lonzo Ball wants to be the star of a team, that much is clear. What is also clear is that isn’t going to happen on the Pelicans.
Would he prefer to be the centerpiece of a rebuild? Would the Pelicans even be interested?
Detroit Pistons: Trading for Lonzo Ball
Why New Orleans Would do it
Lonzo Ball is in the final year of his contract and wants a max deal.
The problem is that he hasn’t played well enough to earn it, and probably never will in Stan Van Gundy’s offense which does not prioritize his passing.
New Orleans is just 4-7 but their starters have been excellent. If they could add some bench depth, they can probably get things turned around and still make the playoffs.
Not only do they get a career 18-point per game scorer in Rose, but get to take a chance on sharpshooter Svi Mykhailiuk, who would boost their 3-point shooting, which is second-worst in the league.
They also have a guy in Nickeil Alexander-Walker (who I was desperate to trade for before he blew up), who has played well lately and may be taking Lonzo’s spot in the starting lineup.
Lonzo Ball may not be part of the Pelicans’ long-term future, especially after they drafted another point guard in the lottery.
If they can get some bench depth without taking on extra bad money, and get a first-round pick, I can’t imagine many better offers will present themselves for a guy who hasn’t played well this season.
But would Detroit even be interested?
Detroit Pistons: Trading for Lonzo Ball makes sense
Why Detroit would do it
Why not?
If you are Detroit, the only chance to get a star player is by trade or in the draft. Lonzo Ball could be a star player in this league if given the chance, which he would get in Detroit.
Lonzo has been relegated to a 3-and-D point guard on the Pelicans, which does not take advantage of his elite passing, which is as good as anyone in the NBA.
The Pistons would have the rest of the season to evaluate Ball’s fit, and with Killian Hayes out with a serious hip injury, he would get plenty of chances to show if he can be the centerpiece of this team.
A core of Lonzo Ball, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant is definitely the beginning of something.
It would also give the Pistons some insurance against the Killian Hayes injury, which could threaten his career.
Yes, Lonzo is in the final year of his deal and could leave, but why would he if Detroit offers more years and money as well as a chance to be the focal point of a team?
I do believe Lonzo wants to win, but he also wants to be a star, and would get that chance in Detroit.
It would be a calculated risk on the part of the Pistons, but if it worked out they would have another piece of their core and a whole lot of young talent.