Summary

Opinions on Ball and his value tend to vary among NBA media about as much as any other player. Some people see him as a real high-IQ, two-way player that could play a significant role on a great team. Others see his inability to create shots for himself and see someone who's "just a guy". I wonder if teams have a similar wide range of opinions. If so, Ball could benefit from the "it only takes one" concept, where one team falls in love with Ball and gives him a really big offer sheet as a restricted free agent.

 

I don't see Ball being an elite primary ball-handler, but I think he could be a really good secondary creator. He's developed his spot-up ability enough to be a threat, and his passing could be valuable when attacking closeouts after getting the ball with the defense already in a scramble mode. Ball is also big enough and smart enough to guard multiple positions, which is valuable and makes it easier to fit him next to different types of players.

 

Ball and his agent will likely point to his 2017 top pick counterpart in Markelle Fultz, who got a 3-year $50 million extension with the Magic last offseason, and say that he should get at least that amount.

 

Cap Considerations

Ball will be a restricted free agent with a $27.5 million cap hold and a $14.4 million Qualifying Offer. Ball's QO is high enough that it could actually come into play. If Ball isn't happy with any of his offers, he could end up taking the QO and trying again as an unrestricted free agent in 2022. The Pelicans won't have cap space unless they renounce all of their free agents, including Ball, so his cap hold isn't really relevant.

 

If the Pelicans re-sign Ball, they could benefit from front-loading his contract. However, they could be pushing close to the luxury tax depending on Ball's salary and what happens with their other free agents.

 

For other teams, Ball will be looking for a contract around 4-year, $80 million or more, and it would likely take something near that in order for New Orleans to not match. In addition, adding a 15% trade bonus, a player option, and some advances on his salary could make it more difficult for New Orleans to match.