Multiple reports have reached a growing belief that highly-touted UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball isn't much of a sure shot to wear purple and gold by the end of draft night on June 22.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Ball would probably not be the guy the Los Angeles Lakers will take with the No. 2 overall pick unless he “absolutely blows the doors off” with his workout on June 7.
The Chino Hills native could be drafted behind Kansas‘ Josh Jackson and Kentucky‘s De'Aaron Fox. The concern has become so real in Ball's camp, that after declining a workout with the Boston Celtics, they've become increasingly receptive to meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Sacramento Kings, depending on how the workout goes with the Lakers.
Kyler's colleague, Joel Brigham has him potentially dropping to No. 5 overall to the talent-starved Kings, who wouldn't pass up on the chance for a point guard.
Another colleague, Moke Hamilton presented a different scenario, where he sees the Lakers “increasingly open-minded” to trading away Jordan Clarkson as soon as they can on draft night, in order to make room for Ball — though that doesn't say much if he's forced to come off the bench behind D'Angelo Russell.
Hamilton notes that despite being roughly three weeks away, the Lakers are in no rush to clear a potential logjam at the guard position.
It seems like after all, his father's stubbornness of going all-in to his hometown Lakers could result on an astronomical misfire, given that if Los Angeles chooses to pass on him, he could drop down several spots until he's set to be a fit for some of the teams in the lottery.
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