NBA: Lonzo Ball Finally Understands Business Angle Of Playing Pro Hoops

Lonzo Ball has been in the NBA long enough to understand how things work. So it comes to no surprise that he hardly holds ill-feelings of being traded away by his hometown team - the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead, the second overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft says that he knows it is also a business and that he is actually excited to make a fresh start with the New Orleans Pelicans.

In an interview conducted by Ohn Youngmisuk of ESPN, Ball explained how he would have been sad had he still been a rookie. But being around for two years now, it appears that the 21-year-old has matured and relieved whenever his name crops up in NBA trade talks.

"I tell people when I was a rookie, I probably would have been sad," Ball added of being traded. "Just being from L.A., having my whole family here and wanting to be a Laker. But being in the league for two years, knowing it's a business, as long you get to play, that's a blessing in itself. I'm excited to get started."

For those who followed the Los Angeles Lakers drama, it was not actually the first time that Ball was mentioned to be part of Anthony Davis trade talks. Back in February, Ball was part of that ridiculous multiplayer deal offered to the Pelicans back in February. At that time, Los Angeles agreed to send their young core composed of Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Ivica Zubac. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was also part of the deal, NBA.com reported.

The first try failed to materialize and the deal told heavily on the Lakers. Los Angeles failed to make the playoffs due to apparent trust issues and strained relationships that triggered an apparent overhaul for the purple and gold. This was perhaps one reason why Bally is relieved after a turbulent couple of months.

Now, Ball hopes to break out in the same way that other discarded top picks by the Lakers did. D'Angelo Russell was the last to do it with the Brooklyn Nets and he officially established himself as a legitimate All-Star last season. But for him to shine, he needs to take better care of his body, seeing how the injury bug slowed him down the past seasons.

"Obviously, injuries kind of messed up things a little bit," said Ball. "But you take the bumps with the bruises and keep moving forward. Only been in the league for two years and looking forward to this third year in New Orleans, get a fresh start and show people what I can do."