Source: Lonzo Ball Done in New Orleans

 

The future of restricted free agent Lonzo Ball has been the elephant in the room for the New Orleans Pelicans since the season ended. Today, sources say that decision has been made, and that they will not extend Ball a contract offer.  

Pelicans will not be extending an offer in free agency to Lonzo. They're willing to facilitate a S&T but they do *not* want him on the roster next season.

— Barry Bondz (@BarryBondz) July 20, 2021

The decision has apparently been in the works for a few weeks, as sources say that while the Pels were conducting their head coaching interviews, executive VP David Griffin would discuss the team's starting backcourt in the 2021-22 season in terms of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis, with Lonzo's name being notably absent. 

There have been a number of rumors about the Pelicans' plans for this offseason of late, including trades of Steven Adams and/or Eric Bledsoe, as well as the idea of a sign-and-trade to acquire free agent Kyle Lowry from the Toronto Raptors. 

The latter idea could work into a double sign-and-trade where Ball goes to the Raptors and Lowry to New Orleans. Two little hiccups in that plan though: Lowry  has to want to go to the Pels, and Ball would have to want to head to Toronto.

Lowry has repeatedly said that winning championships is what he's all about at this point in his career, so it's questionable that he'd accept an offer to go to New Orleans, even if it was to play alongside Zion Williamson. 

A lot to be unpacked here, to be sure. But it's an easy bet to say that Lonzo Ball is no more for the Big Easy. 

Photo Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports