New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball won’t sign a contract extension with the team and will become a restricted free agent next summer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Both sides remain positive about the ability to move forward together, Klutch Sports CEO and Ball’s agent Rich Paul told ESPN.
The Pelicans will have the ability to match any offers that Ball receives in free agency.
New head coach Stan Van Gundy has praised Ball, calling him a “very, very smart player and extremely unselfish.”
Van Gundy has also said that Ball may be the best in the league at advancing the ball and allowing his teammates to play in transition.
Ball, 23, averaged 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 63 games last season in his first season with the Pelicans and could be poised for a breakout 2020-2021 season.
