NBA Rumors: Lonzo Ball May Look Past L.A. Lakers, Considering Talking To Other Lottery Teams
Many have thought that Lonzo Ball being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in next week’s 2017 NBA Draft was a done deal, but that no longer appears to be the case. With just one week to go until the L.A. Lakers are on the clock with the second overall pick, Lonzo Ball is now rumored to be considering talking to other teams with picks lower than the Lakers. The former star of the UCLA Bruins has only worked out for one team, but he isn’t ruling any others out.
According to ESPN, Lonzo Ball is scheduled to work out for the Lakers for a second time on Friday, but he hasn’t received a lot of info from the team as of yet. Ball is hoping that they will let him know if he has “separated himself” during this whole process leading up to the draft.
Upon the conclusion of Friday’s workout, the soon-to-be NBA star and his father, LaVar Ball, will consider speaking with other lottery teams. A number of them have asked to speak with him and it would not be out of the question for LaVar Ball to want to see what they have to offer to his son on the cusp of his professional basketball career.
The Philadelphia 76ers have the third pick, while the Phoenix Suns have the fourth pick, and the Lakers are beginning to believe that there is a way that things will happen at the draft. Lakers Nation is reporting that there are rumors flying around the Lakers could trade down to the fourth pick in the first round.
If the Suns are to offer the Lakers their 2017 first-round pick (number four overall) and the right to the Miami Heat’s 2018 pick, it could be enough to make the move. Los Angeles truly believes that Lonzo Ball or Josh Jackson of Kansas could still be on the board at number four.
After Friday’s workout, the Lakers will have worked out Ball, Jackson, and De’Aaron Fox, from Kentucky, who are the three most likely picks at number two.
The Lakers haven’t fully decided and it appears that Lonzo Ball hasn’t either, but there isn’t much time left for minds to be made up.
Lonzo Ball is seen as one of the top two players in the 2017 NBA Draft with a number of mock drafts putting him in place with the L.A. Lakers. The Boston Celtics appear to be locked in place with Washington guard Markelle Fultz, but anything is possible to happen in the next week. If Ball does end up speaking to other teams, LaVar Ball may hear or see something he likes, which could put some distance between his son and the Lakers by next Thursday.
[Featured Image by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images]
