The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason after being knocked out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Rob Pelinka and company will do everything they can to add more help for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Could bringing back point guard Lonzo Ball be a potential option?
Ball is set to hit the restricted free agency market this offseason, but reports have stated that the New Orleans Pelicans are not planning to match any significant offer sheet for him. Both the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls have been named potential destinations for Ball.
According to a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Lakers could be taking a long look at bringing Ball back. They originally traded him as part of the package to acquire Davis from the Pelicans.
“Expect to eventually hear of them searching for potential pathways, however obstacle-strewn they would be, to reacquiring restricted free agent-to-be Lonzo Ball for that reason.”
The “reason” that Stein mentioned was the Lakers’ search to add a “difference-making playmaker” so that James and Davis can play more forward and center. Ball could certainly fit the bill.
During the 2020-21 NBA season with the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball ended up averaging 14.6 points per game to go along with 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. He shot 41.4 percent from the floor overall and knocked down a career-high 37.8 percent of his three-point attempts. Ball is a player that could help push the Lakers back into NBA Finals contention.
At just 23 years of age, Ball would be a great investment for the Lakers both now and long-term. He is growing his game and is working hard and a return to Los Angeles could be a great story and push him even harder.
While the Lakers may have interest in reacquiring Ball this offseason, it won’t be easy. Ball is expected to receive large contract offers from teams with cap space. Another team that has been rumored to have interest is the New York Knicks.
Expect to see Los Angeles try to figure out a way to bring Lonzo Ball back to where it all started. They may not be able to get a deal done, but this is a very intriguing development, to say the least. He would be a perfect fit to add more firepower alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
