Potential three-team trade for Ball: Pelicans’ and Thunders’ perspectives
Starting from New Orleans’ perspective, the reason why they do it is simple. Walker is a better complementary player to the Pelicans young core of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. He’s a score-first point guard and when healthy he’s a great three level scorer. He’d allow the Pels’ two young stars to run the offense while he’s the primary isolation scorer.
Instead of overpaying for Ball, the Pelicans can get a better scorer/better complimentary star to their young core in Walker. Walker’s health is questionable, but if he can get back to full health, this is a steal for New Orleans.
Oklahoma City is still in the part of their rebuild where they are collecting draft assets. With that in mind, getting the 28th pick in this draft and Harris for Walker, who is coming off an injury-riddled season is a plus value trade.
Harris won’t influence winning at the same level that a healthy Walker would if the point guard were to stay in OKC. Harris would be able to mentor the young forwards like Darius Bazley and Aleksej Pokusevski much better than a point guard like Walker could. Overall Harris a great locker room guy to be a leader for this young team while not taking this team out of the best lottery odds.