Could Lakers reunite with Lonzo Ball?

Could Lakers reunite with Lonzo Ball?

Once upon a time, Lonzo Ball, a former No. 2 pick, was one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ most sought-after young stars.

He was at the center off attention because of his dad, LaVar. But the 6-foot-6 point guard spent his first two years in Los Angeles, not far from where he grew up (Chino Hills) and went to college (UCLA), where he was a tantalizing talent because of his passing, defense and unorthodox shooting form. Though he was eventually traded in a four-player deal for Anthony Davis ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Ball has since dealt with myriad injuries, having undergone three knee surgeries that sidelined him for 2.5 years. He returned to the court for the first time this season with the Chicago Bulls, and the 27-year-old has garnered some trade interest–including some potential buzz from his former team.

“I think Lonzo is someone that’s going to be on their radar. And I think depending on the price if you could get him for a second or two seconds, I think that’s an interesting swing, and also someone with that 6’6” frame that could potentially I think be similar to Bruce Brown, check a couple boxes,” Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic told Jason Timpf recently on the Hoops Tonight podcast.

“He’s bulked up a little bit throughout his career, so he can guard twos and even some smaller threes and potentially be part of a 1-3 switching scheme. And then offensively I think especially coming off the bench as a secondary ball-handler, playmaker and also a spot-up shooter, I think he’s someone who’s an interesting gamble for them.”

Ball is in the last year of a four-year, $80 million deal he signed with the Bulls ahead of the 2021-22 season. He’s been injured for most of the contract, but has rehabilitated some of his value this season, as he’s on the books for $21.4 million, according to Spotrac.

The Lakers could use positionally size anywhere they can find it, so Ball would be a good fit there. They also need some additional playmaking and point-of-attack defense, two boxes that Ball also checks.

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He’s averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 20.5 minutes per game, shooting just 36.1 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from 3-point range on 5.2 triple tries per game. He’s played his best basketball of late, averaging 9.7 points, 4.2 dimes and 1.8 steals on 39.1 percent shooting from deep over his last six games.

The Lakers are currently a first-apron team, so it may be difficult to pull off this deal if a third team isn’t involved. This should be a swing worth exploring with Ball’s contract expiring, though their first priority should be adding another big to take pressure off Davis.

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