NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams that should target Lonzo Ball
By Liam Clark
New York Knicks
Another team lacking a decent point guard to run plays for the team is the New York Knicks, who are surprisingly having a good season. The Knicks have struggled in the point guard position for a while, and even though Elfrid Payton is a solid player, he is not a starting-caliber point guard.
The team has been running its plays through Julius Randle, who is having a career year. He has seen his assists go up through becoming the team’s primary ball-handler, which has been good for the big man. However, having a player like Ball help take the stress of being the primary ball-handler off Randle’s head.
Ball would also add to a very impressive Knicks defensive unit this season (currently ranked fourth in the league), with Ball often being praised as a good defender from the point guard position.
Playing in New York would also, like with the Thunder, allow Ball to play starter minutes and really get a chance to shine and improve his game around an array of young talent. While he would be under the microscope like he was in Los Angeles, Ball would likely flourish in New York as while he would be the primary ball handler he would also have Randle taking off some of the pressure.