"Tradable Asset" Does Not Mean "Star"

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis has expressed his desire to be traded away from the team that originally drafted him, and his public expression has brought with it a $50K fine from the NBA. From all appearances, The Los Angeles Lakers are the frontrunners to land Davis, but even though the Pelicans are not dealing from a position of strength, the Lakers might be willing to trade their youth for the all-star. This, however, might be where doing the deal hits a snag.

The Pelicans are said to be asking for Kyle Kuzma, Ivaca Zubac, Lonzo Ball and a draft pick for Davis. While this would essentially be the Lakers mortgaging their future for a championship run now, LA seems willing to deal. Unfortunately, Lonzo Ball has already indicated that he has no interest in New Orleans, instead suggesting that the Lakers find a third team to include in the deal. Ball feels that he should have some say over his immediate future, but the young man is misguided in his thinking.

Kuzma and Zubac are being required because these players have shown that they can play at a high level in the NBA. Ball is seen as an inconsistent, injury-prone player with some upside. Ball is not seen as a player to be built around, but as a player who could figure it out over time if he finds the right situation. As such, Ball could be traded for, only to be packaged in another deal, thus classifying Ball as a “tradable asset”. Unfortunately, “tradable asset” does not translate to star, and tradable assets cannot make demands.

Ball has the makings of a great player, and he believes in his talent. This is admirable, but currently, he is not as good as his opinion of himself. Lonzo Ball should be happy that the Pelicans want him because they could have asked for Josh Hart, which would say a lot about what the league thinks of Ball as a player. Just ask Brandon Ingram