Per the New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Clippers are “exploring trade routes” in their effort to acquire New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball prior to the Mar. 25 trade deadline. However, due to the team’s limited draft assets complicating a potential trade, multiple teams may be needed in order for the deal to work.
Ball, who has been heavily to the New York Knicks in recent weeks, is averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game this season, while adding 5.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
As noted by Stein, the idea that the Clippers need to upgrade their playmaking in the backcourt has been explored extensively.
Patrick Beverly and Reggie Jackson, the team’s primary point guards, are defensive-minded players with specialist roles on offense. Where Jackson takes .455 percent of his shots from 3-point range, Beverley sees .657 coming from behind-the-arc. However, the issue comes in where they are as facilitators, which is far below the level of most starting point guards.
That’s where Ball comes is, as the fourth-year pro has been heralded for his basketball IQ and passing ability since his days at Chino Hills.
