Knicks: Now is the perfect time to trade for Lonzo Ball

What would a New York Knicks trade for Lonzo Ball look like?

Elfrid Payton is bad yet again. His love affair with Julius Randle has become detrimental to team chemistry and ball movement as he doesn’t look for anyone else to pass to besides him. While he does seem to be one of the only guys playing hard even when winning is in doubt, I think it’s more to do with him auditioning for his next team more so than what he’s trying to accomplish as a New York Knick.

This brings me to why the Knicks must trade for Lonzo Ball now. Currently, Lonzo is being outplayed by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and the margin is not close. Considering how the Pelicans were reluctant to give Ball the extension he wanted which would allow him to test free agency, maybe they look to start Alexander-Walker over the Ball brother while they explore ways to move him elsewhere.

Knicks Get

Lonzo Ball

JJ Redick

Pelicans Get

Elfrid Payton

Alec Burks

Frank Ntilikina + Reggie Bullock

Future 1st Round Pick

In a recent Daily Knicks article, I explored 3 trades for under-the-radar stars the Knicks could buy-low on and I think an honorary mention should have been Lonzo. He’s been a favorite of Knicks fans for a little while now, and I think he can be had at a discount due to his recent struggles. The Knicks should look to capitalize on this now before the trade market heats up for Lonzo even further.

Lonzo Ball would instantly become one of the best facilitators the Knicks have had in the past decade or longer. I believe he is the answer to the Knicks’ recent struggles because when Julius Randle is your primary ball-handler, the offense becomes far too predictable and easily shut down.

The Knicks don’t currently have enough shooting in their starting 5 to allow Randle the spacing necessary to attack the rim and keep defenses honest on every offensive possession. An elite-level playmaker like Ball would help create more opportunities for other players and make the entire offense more dangerous as a whole. We’ve seen guys like Kevin Knox and Immanuel Quickley shine recently, so getting them more open looks would help both RJ Barrett and Julius Randle in the paint tremendously.

Additionally, I think Payton would welcome a return home back to the Bayou and it may help unlock the level of play he displayed back when he was a triple-double machine off the bench for New Orleans. We say “Once a Knick, Always a Knick”, and I’ll never wish the man poorly, but even with a few very solid games during our 3-game winning streak earlier this season, Elfrid just isn’t the guy we need right now.

• Published on 01/18/2021 at 11:15 AM EDT
• Last updated on 01/18/2021 at 11:15 AM EDT