Lonzo Ball To Bulls? Lakers Held Talks Before Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers were among the busiest teams going into the 2019 trade deadline on Feb. 7 as it tried desperately to land Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. The team had even discussed a potential move for Lonzo Ball to Chicago Bulls during talks with the Pelicans.

The young point guard was included in the trade package the Lakers offered the New Orleans franchise in order to bring Davis to Los Angeles but Ball was not keen on moving to the Big Easy. He had plans of his own and wanted to be traded to either the Bulls, New York Knicks or even Phoenix Suns.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times, an unnamed NBA executive revealed that the Lakers and Bulls had initial conversations about a potential move for Ball during their trade talks for Davis but no deal came to fruition. The move could still happen as the Chicago franchise is keen to sign a talented point guard with good defensive abilities and Ball suits the team’s needs perfectly.

Ball remained with the Lakers after the Pelicans rejected every offer put forward and has not played since suffering an ankle injury in January during his team’s loss to the Houston Rockets. Initially, he was expected to be out for six weeks, but was ruled out for the season as it became clear that the Lakers will miss the playoffs yet again.

The 21-year-old revealed his rehabilitation process was progressing well despite it turning out be a long-term injury. Ball was certain that in just a few more weeks, he would be able to be back on court practicing.

Obviously it’s been a long process,” Ball said recently, as quoted on Sporting News. “It’s finally starting to show some great progress, coming along. Hopefully just a few more weeks and then I can go out there.”

The Lakers point guard also backed Magic Johnson’s decision to quit the Lakers after just two seasons as its president of basketball operations. The news shocked the franchise and the entire basketball community, but Ball is behind the Lakers legend “100 percent”.

“It shocked me, like it did the rest of the world,” Ball added. “It’s what’s best for him. I wish him the best. He drafted me, and this is better for his life. This is what he wants to do, and I’m behind him 100 percent.”