New Orleans Pelicans reportedly failed to lock point guard Lonzo Ball on a long-term extension. This will result in Ball becoming a restricted free agent next offseason.

Ball was eligible to receive a rookie extension from the Pelicans ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement according to the player’s agent Rich Paul. Still, Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that both parties “remain positive” when it comes to Ball’s future in New Orleans.

If Ball decides to explore free agency next summer and agrees to terms with another team, the Pelicans will have the right to match any offer and keep the 23-year-old player on their roster.

It makes sense for New Orleans Pelicans not to make a strong push for a new deal with Lonzo Ball, considering that the verdict is still out on the former UCLA star. While Ball showed great court vision and passing ability during his time in the NBA, he still has shooting struggles and didn’t show that he can be a difference-maker.

Ball, who was the No.2 pick in 2017, joined the Pelicans as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to LA Lakers last year. He finished his first season in New Orleans by averaging 11.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 63 games but hit only 40.3 percent from the field and made just 56.6 percent of his free throw attempts.

The post Lonzo Ball and Pelicans Fail to Agree on an Extension appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Zion Williamson’s rookie season in the NBA was marked with various injury-related restrictions that limited the time New Orleans Pelicans’ star spent on the court. But the good news is that the 20-year-old doesn’t expect this to be the case anymore.

During a chat with reporters on Sunday, Williamson said Pelicans’ head coach Stan Van Gundy told him there will be “no restrictions” on his playing time for the 2020/21 NBA season.

“Me and coach Van Gundy have talked, and from what I know now, there are no restrictions. None,” said Williamson, while adding that he is looking forward to being able to play without any limitations.

Zion Williamson entered the league as Pelicans’ first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft but ended up having his debut postponed due to a meniscus injury he suffered in the preseason. When he finally did get to the NBA court, New Orleans opted for a cautious strategy and kept him on minute restrictions for the better part of his rookie campaign.

Williamson ended up playing 24 games while spending 27.8 minutes on the court on average. This didn’t stop him from putting up some dominant performances, and he finished the season by averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

The post Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Expects to Have “No Restrictions” Next Season appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

New Orleans Pelicans reportedly failed to lock point guard Lonzo Ball on a long-term extension. This will result in Ball becoming a restricted free agent next offseason.

Ball was eligible to receive a rookie extension from the Pelicans ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement according to the player’s agent Rich Paul. Still, Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that both parties “remain positive” when it comes to Ball’s future in New Orleans.

If Ball decides to explore free agency next summer and agrees to terms with another team, the Pelicans will have the right to match any offer and keep the 23-year-old player on their roster.

It makes sense for New Orleans Pelicans not to make a strong push for a new deal with Lonzo Ball, considering that the verdict is still out on the former UCLA star. While Ball showed great court vision and passing ability during his time in the NBA, he still has shooting struggles and didn’t show that he can be a difference-maker.

Ball, who was the No.2 pick in 2017, joined the Pelicans as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to LA Lakers last year. He finished his first season in New Orleans by averaging 11.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 63 games but hit only 40.3 percent from the field and made just 56.6 percent of his free throw attempts.

The post Lonzo Ball and Pelicans Fail to Agree on an Extension appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Zion Williamson’s rookie season in the NBA was marked with various injury-related restrictions that limited the time New Orleans Pelicans’ star spent on the court. But the good news is that the 20-year-old doesn’t expect this to be the case anymore.

During a chat with reporters on Sunday, Williamson said Pelicans’ head coach Stan Van Gundy told him there will be “no restrictions” on his playing time for the 2020/21 NBA season.

“Me and coach Van Gundy have talked, and from what I know now, there are no restrictions. None,” said Williamson, while adding that he is looking forward to being able to play without any limitations.

Zion Williamson entered the league as Pelicans’ first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft but ended up having his debut postponed due to a meniscus injury he suffered in the preseason. When he finally did get to the NBA court, New Orleans opted for a cautious strategy and kept him on minute restrictions for the better part of his rookie campaign.

Williamson ended up playing 24 games while spending 27.8 minutes on the court on average. This didn’t stop him from putting up some dominant performances, and he finished the season by averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

The post Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Expects to Have “No Restrictions” Next Season appeared first on toppoptoday.com.