Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: L.A. Not Drafting Lonzo Ball, Pursuing Trade?

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t come close to reaching the 2017 NBA Finals, but they continue to make news as the basketball world focuses on the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. With their eyes on the upcoming NBA Draft and offseason, L.A. is looking to make moves that will get them back in the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Much of the focus has been on the point guard position, which the Lakers are expected to upgrade with the No.2 overall pick in the first round. According to the latest rumors, the team might not draft Lonzo Ball as expected, and Los Angeles could trade one of the point guards that are already on their roster.

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It’s been no secret that UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball hopes to stay in California and play for the Lakers. When the Lakers were given the second selection on the night of the draft lottery, most assumed that meant Ball was destined to wear the purple and gold. But Steven Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports that Ball to the Lakers is anything but a guarantee.

Ball doesn’t have a workout scheduled with the Boston Celtics, who have the draft’s first pick, but he will work out for the Lakers on June 7. If the 19-year-old doesn’t “blow the doors off,” according to Kyler, L.A. could seek out another freshman, namely Kentucky’s De'Aaron Fox or Kansas’ Josh Jackson.

During the college basketball season, there was speculation that Ball could be the No.1 overall selection in the draft. Leading the Bruins to the Sweet 16, the point guard averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game on 55.1 percent shooting. Over the last few months, however, it’s become apparent that Washington’s Markelle Fultz will be the top pick.

UCLA was defeated by Kentucky in the Sweet 16, and Fox outplayed Ball in the contest. Fox scored 39 points on just 20 shot attempts while Ball put up just 10 points on four-of-10 shooting. Fox needs to improve his outside shooting, though he has a chance to become the best point guard in the 2017 class.

Jackson is not a point guard, but there are some that believe he could be as good as any player that gets selected on June 22. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a freshman with the Jayhawks.

If the Lakers end up drafting a point guard, they certainly won’t be wanting for players at the position. It was just two years ago that they spent the No.2 overall pick on De’Angelo Russell. Point guards David Nwaba, Tyler Ennis and Jordan Clarkson are also on the roster.

With only so much room on the bench, it appears that Clarkson could end up being the odd man out. Multiple reports suggest that the Lakers might look into trading Clarkson, who would likely be sought after by teams in need of point guard help.

The 24-year-old had a productive season as the Lakers’ backup, averaging 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. With three years and $37.5 million left on his contract, Clarkson had a pretty reasonable deal, considering the increase in the salary cap that’s coming for the 2017-2018 season.

As the summer moves along, don’t be surprised if the Lakers find themselves in trade rumors involving Paul George. The Indiana Pacers’ forward has just one year left on his contract, and he reportedly is eying L.A. in free agency for the 2018 offseason.