Miami Heat: Would Lonzo Ball be a worthwhile reclamation project?

The Miami Heat could look to Lonzo Ball as their new reclamation project. Would it be worth it, though?

Assuming that Lonzo Ball is officially on the trade block, there are several teams that are expected to be interested in the 23-year-old guard. Even though he hasn’t lived up to being the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball is still young and talented. A fresh start and a healthy development system might be exactly what he needs to spark his career.

This begs the question, should a team such as the Miami Heat be interested in acquiring Ball from the New Orleans Pelicans?

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The Heat has had success with reclamation projects in the past; a few names that quickly come to mind are Hassan Whiteside, Dion Waiters, James Johnson, and Jae Crowder. Miami has one of the league’s best developmental systems and consistently gets the most out of its players.

Miami’s developmental system and support staff might be exactly what Ball needs. Plus, joining such a veteran-laden roster should also have a positive impact on his game and approach. HE hasn’t really had that in his career thus far; he only played one year with LeBron James in Los Angeles.

Should the Miami Heat acquire Lonzo Ball?

While there’s no question Lonzo Ball would benefit from a trade to Miami; the question is, would the Heat benefit from such a move?

The first thing that we’d have to consider is what the cost of Ball would be. It’s not known what exactly the Pelicans are asking for, but you’d have to think that it begins with a first-round pick and likely continues with a young prospect.

In all likelihood, the Heat would probably have to offer one of their young players and a first-round pick to get it done. Or, if they don’t want to part ways with a high pick, perhaps two of their young players and a second-round draft pick or two.

A couple of packages that come to mind: Kendrick Nunn and a first-round pick, or Kendrick Nunn and KZ Okpala or Precious Achiuwa. In short, the Heat is going to have to give up an asset or two, at least to make a deal work.

If the Heat is OK with parting ways with that – though, I’d have my doubts especially if this team is holding out on a potential Bradley Beal offer – then you’d have to weigh whether this team could use him in their rotation.

On paper, Ball would actually be a great fit. The Heat doesn’t have a true starting point guard in their first 5. So far this season, when they’ve been healthy, they’ve essentially been playing Tyler Herro at the 1. He’s struggled at times in that role and I’m not so sure if he’d be better in a reserved role, similar to the one we saw him in during the NBA’s restart bubble over the summer.

Not to say that the Heat would start Ball, but he would provide the team with another true point guard. Miami could move Goran Dragic to the starting lineup if they’d like and use a combination of Ball-Herro off the bench to lead their second unit.

You can also make the argument that the Heat would need his defensive prowess more than his point guard skills. Maimi commits the second-most turnovers per game and has a bottom 10 defense in the league. On nearly a nightly basis, Miami consistently gets burned on the perimeter.

Ball would help on both fronts. He’d certainly be a fit for the Heat and be useful almost immediately.

A final concern for the Heat revolves around Ball’s contract situation. Unless he’s willing to accept a qualifying offer, Ball will likely hit the restricted free agent market after this season. Even though Miami would hold his rights, the Heat could be in an awkward situation if another team offers him outlandish money – an amount that Miami wouldn’t be willing to match.

For the Heat, it will likely ultimately come down to this: is the team willing to give up an asset or two (that would take away from a potential offer for Bradley Beal, should he become available) for Lonzo Ball who may or may not re-sign with the team beyond this season?

Lonzo Ball makes a lot of sense for the Miami Heat and checks all the boxes as a potential reclamation project. This is certainly something to keep an eye on as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches.