Lakers Rumors: Trade, De'Aaron Fox, Josh Jackson Could Keep LA From Drafting Lonzo Ball

When the Los Angeles Lakers were awarded the No.2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, many felt it was a fait accompli that the team would select UCLA’s Lonzo Ball. But as the June 22 draft gets closer and closer, the chances of the point guard playing elsewhere are getting more likely.

The latest rumors suggest that L.A. might not use the No.2 pick at all. The team has been active in trade discussions, taking and making calls about the selection over the course of the last month, according to The Los Angeles Times.

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That certainly doesn’t mean the Lakers will trade the first-round pick, and it’s probably likely that they are keeping the selection. Los Angeles, however, is keeping their options open, and last year’s No.2 overall pick, Brandon Ingram, looks like the only untouchable asset on the roster.

If the Lakers do indeed keep their selection, they might decide to take another point guard, instead of Ball. Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox, who got the better of Ball in this year’s Sweet 16, could be L.A.’s pick. He worked out for the team this week.

Kansas’ Josh Jackson is also an option for the Lakers. L.A. has worked him out twice, and there’s even been speculation that the Lakers might have promised Jackson they will draft him.

Ball gets his second workout for L.A. Friday, hoping to convince the organization that he’s their best choice. The 19-year-old and his father have made it clear that they want Ball to wear the purple and gold in the 2017-2018 season, though that’s far from a given.

The Boston Celtics are expected to take Washington’s Markelle Fultz with the first overall selection, and Ball opted not to work out for the team. Ball might now be realizing that he’ll have to explore the possibility of playing outside of Los Angeles, and ESPN reported that he’s considering speaking with other teams that have lottery picks.

Following a report that Ball needed to blow the Lakers away in order to be drafted by them, The Orange County Register reported that the point guard appeared to be out of shape when working out for the team.

With less than a week remaining until the draft, the truth is that president of basketball operations Magic Johnson probably hasn’t made a final decision regarding what the Lakers will do. They’ve got three good options with the No.2 pick, all of whom should be taken in the top five. L.A. also has the No.28 overall pick in the first round, which they acquired in a trade with the Houston Rockets.

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The Lakers are looking to find a player that will help them get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. L.A. hasn’t won a playoff game since 2012, and they’ve won 27 games or fewer in each of the last four seasons.

This marks the third straight year in which the Lakers will have the No.2 overall pick in the draft. Before taking Ingram in 2016, Los Angeles selected point guard D’Angelo Russell in 2015.