The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed more than a sincere interest in drafting UCLA freshman point guard Lonzo Ball, who is expected to be a top-three pick in this year's NBA Draft.
According to ESPN Insider Chad Ford, the Lakers organization is “enamored” with his talents and on-court performance and have somehow let this be known before the lottery takes place.
While this could be seen as a mating call after the Ball family has expressed a very clear preference for Lonzo to play for his hometown team, it could be a potential mind game that could serve as a bargaining chip in efforts to land established star Paul George in 2018.
If this is indeed a serious leak, the Lakers could be in line for a Philadelphia 76ers-type of long-term project, given that they already have talent at the point guard position with D'Angelo Russell, who's shown signs of brilliance through stretches in his first two seasons — though it still remains a very real possibility that president Magic Johnson sees himself in the young Chino Hills native and is planning to frankenstein a Showtime revival with the help of the dynamic local talent.
All of these remain possible, but unclear options that can certainly play out through the course of the next few months.
If Los Angeles indeed drafts Lonzo Ball, he'll be bundled right with his outspoken father LaVar Ball, who is likely to try to package a family deal for all of his kids to be drafted by the organization and someday be able to take home-cooked meals to the facility in their Big Baller Brand lunch boxes.
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