Lonzo Ball: 'I would love to be back' with Pelicans

Guard Lonzo Ball joined the New Orleans Pelicans via a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2019 and is on the cusp of becoming a restricted free agent following the NBA Finals. 

According to Andrew Lopez of ESPN, though, the 23-year-old told reporters on Monday he could see himself staying put this offseason. 

"That's a conversation between me and my agent moving forward. But obviously I would love to be back," Ball explained. "I built a bond here with the coaches and the teammates who are here. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back at all." 

Ball averaged a career-high 14.6 points per game in his second full season with New Orleans and recorded personal bests in several shooting categories. His assists dropped from 7.0 per contest in 2019-20 to 5.7. 

The Pelicans finished the campaign 11th in the Western Conference standings, one spot shy of the play-in tournament. Star big man Zion Williamson is nevertheless optimistic about the team's direction and added he'd like to keep the squad together. 

"Me, Brandon [Ingram] and Zo, the three of us have a great relationship. I really would want Zo to come back. He knows that," Williamson said of Ball. "But you know, like I said, the reality of the situation is Zo is a grown man, so he'll make the decision that's best for him. The only thing I can say is, I hope he stays." 

New Orleans would have the right to match any offer sheet Ball signs with a different team this summer.