Heading into the 2017 NBA Draft, there is much belief that the Los Angeles Lakers will take UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball if he's available at the second overall pick.
This chatter was only heightened after Ball conducted his individual workout for Los Angeles at their practice facility on Wednesday morning. During a recent interview with ESPN's Jeff Goodman, the 19-year-old voiced much confidence that he can mesh well with third-year guard D'Angelo Russell.
“I think we could play really well. If you saw the last 20 games, he was actually doing really well. I feel he is more a two-guard than a point guard. I think he can compliment my game just on the fact he can score and shoot. So I just I like to just run floor and I can just give him the ball and he can just put the ball in the basket. “
There has been much talk about what type of role Russell would play, but the Lakers may have indicated that at the tail end of last year by playing him largely in that role. He was playing more at shooting guard with Jordan Clarkson in the starting lineup working more off the ball for open looks.
Russell had some individual offensive success in that role and it has given the organization belief that he can excel in that spot. This includes a few 20-point performances highlighted by a career-high 40 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If the Lakers go this route with Ball, the initial plan would be to build around him as the starting point guard and see if Russell could fit alongside him next season. If there are any significant issues from that point on, the team could look to move on from the former 2015 first-round pick as there were reportedly multiple teams interested in acquiring him.
Ultimately, all of these would hinge on the Lakers' decision later this month at the second overall spot.
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