23-year-old guard Lonzo Ball is in the middle of a major breakout season with the Pelicans, averaging 14.5 points and 5.6 assists on 39% shooting from downtown.
In a game earlier this week, Ball went 4-for-4 from the 3-point line in the first quarter, accounting for half of his career-high eight 3-pointers as part of his 27-point performance.
Ass a restricted free agent this offseason, we can expect Ball to be heavily pursued, and will likely end up with a contract paying $20-$25 million per year.
Interestingly, however, the struggling Golden State Warriors had their chance to acquire ‘Zo earlier this season. More importantly, they only would have had to give up Kelly Oubre in the deal — a guy who has been largely inconsistent throughout the campaign. According to former Warriors player, Andrew Bogut, the Dubs turned down that deal.
“I got some word from behind the scenes there. I have it on good authority they got an offer for Lonzo Ball, and I think a throw-in and a pick for Oubre and the Warriors turned it down, funnily enough.”
Andrew Bogut says the Warriors rejected a Lonzo Ball/Kelly Oubre swap
(h/t @GSWReddit) pic.twitter.com/jrRmdyEF82
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 5, 2021
Obviously, the Warriors have playoff aspirations this season, and Oubre was supposed to help them reach that milestone.
Instead, he has contributed to an overall inconsistent and lackluster performance by the team, who stand just 10th in the West with a 23-27 record.
All the while, Lonzo is putting on an amazing show, constantly reminding the Warriors what they missed out on.
That’s got to sting…
