The New Orleans Pelicans won't have to wait long to see longtime teammate Lonzo Ball, as he and the Chicago Bulls wait in the Windy City for tonight's preseason matchup.
The New Orleans Pelicans haven't announced their lineup yet, but we'll probably have to wait until the regular season to see Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram face off against their friend and former teammate. Lonzo won't recognize many others, as the Pelicans have revamped their roster with a new starting lineup and bench.
Ball was traded in a sign-and-trade with the Bulls after failing to extend the contract with Pells, which succumbed to the high demand price.
I thought David Griffin blew it away by not trading Lonzo Ball too soon, because everyone knew what his asking price was going to be and that Pell could get a big return, he put him on last season's deadline. had done business.
But that is now in the past and both the franchises are eager to show that they have made the right move in this business.
It's only preseason, but it could be just the start of a rivalry between the Bulls and the Pelicans, and no matter what the players say, there's always a little extra motivation when you're playing against a former team or teammates.
New Orleans Pelicans: Garrett Temple and Tomas Satoransky vs. the Chicago Bulls
One of the stories surrounding the Lonzo Ball trade was that the Pels didn't get much in return, as they only got traveling legends Tomas Sotoranski and Garrett Temple to go with the future second-round pick.
Most thought the Bulls should have been the first to give up on Lonzo (myself included), but Sotoranski and Temple could prove themselves to be valuable giants.
Satoransky was part of a very effective bench unit that Pell will undoubtedly use more this season and Temple can provide a solid veteran presence from the bench.
All NBA players have big egos and these two didn't like hearing that they were scraps of one-sided trade. They will be eager to prove that they are more than just a throw-in in a bad trade and I hope both add a little extra bounce in their move against their former team.