“I want to fight for a Playoff berth with New Orleans”: Lonzo Ball disagrees with LaVar on being traded away from the Pelicans

Lonzo Ball says that he would prefer to stay in New Orleans this season rather than be traded away, despite LaVar Ball’s wishes. 

Lonzo Ball has had a roller coaster of a season, both in terms of his game maturing as the season went along, and his place on the New Orleans Pelicans.

Due to his lackluster play early on in the season, Ball was considered by many to be on the trading block, with teams in need of a playmaking guard and competent ball handler being mentioned in rumors alongside him. 

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Teams like the Chicago Bulls were reported as being very interested in acquiring the former Laker. However, as the season progressed, Lonzo started to find his own when it came to his shot from deep, shooting near 40% on 200+ attempts on the season. 

This has resulted in him being considered an even ‘hotter commodity’ than before and the NBA trade rumor mill has churned out destinations such as the Los Angeles Clippers, if he were to be traded this season. 

Lonzo Ball speaks out on potentially being traded away from the Pelicans

Lonzo Ball has been in the tabloids quite often as of recent, but not because of something he did or said; LaVar Ball has been at the Pelicans’ neck to have his son traded away from the organization before the March 25th trade deadline.

He claims Zo isn’t happy with the Pels and wants out. Lonzo hadn’t spoken up about it, until now. 

According to the Post, Lonzo Ball does not share his father’s sentiment in being traded away from NOP and in fact, wants to commit to the franchise this season in hopes of a push to the postseason. Lonzo wants to be in charge of where he lands next as he says he wants to focus more on his free agency when it arrives. 

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Following the end of this season, Lonzo Ball will become a restricted free agent, meaning he could have the chance to play for any ball-club he wants, barring the chance of New Orleans matching an offer sheet another team offers him. 

Lonzo’s commitment to making the Playoffs this season with the Pelicans seems to be something he wants to accomplish in his 2nd year with the team. With an 18-24 record and the 11th seed out West, the Pelicans’ best chance at a Playoff berth comes from being one of the 4 teams in the play-in tournament.