Lonzo has a $21M player option that he will likely pick up for next season. Clearing Fournier’s contract off the books this offseason doesn’t give us cap space nor does it help us improve the team. So if there are no trades that help us upgrade the team before the deadline, should we look to trading Lonzo for the following reasons?
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Lonzo’s contract helps us complete a potential trade for a star or quality player (Donovan Mitchell, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, etc) next season. We can also theoretically exercise Fournier’s $19M team option but it’s pretty clear he has almost no chance at ever cracking a Thibs rotation again whereas an 80% healthy Lonzo may provide some backup minutes.
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In case we do not retain IQ, we have another ready now, Thibs type player to play the backup point guard minutes. But perhaps more importantly, Lonzo being on the roster may be a negotiating chip with IQ who probably wants to stay with NY. Perhaps IQ will reduce his price knowing the team has a decent replacement option.
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