NBA Rumors: Lakers Weighing Options To Buy Lonzo Ball Time

Lonzo Ball is injured, and the Los Angeles Lakers have a gaping hole in the point guard position. Rajon Rondo would have been sufficient, but even the veteran guard is also in the sickbay. Given that scenario, the easy way out is to get a guard from the free agent market to fill in the void.

According to CBS Sports, Ball is expected to miss four to six weeks due to an ankle injury that he sustained when the Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets, 138-134, a couple of days ago. Rondo, on the other hand, is expected to return to active duty this Thursday when the Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 32-year-old guard has missed the last 14 games for Los Angeles as he recovers from surgery to repair a ligament in his right finger.

The Lakers do still have Josh Hart, although he didn’t actually make a good impression in his first start for the team. The 23-year-old could only manage six points, two rebounds and an assist in the Lakers’ loss to the Golden State Warriors, 130-111.

As one can see, the Lakers do have a big hole to fill in the backcourt. But the question now is whether they are able to find the right person and how they are able to do that. Head coach Luke Walton is waiting on what team president Earvin “Magic” Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka are up to, but he believes they will eventually come up with a solution.

“I know Rob and Magic are working, looking for other options and possibilities. What that is, I don’t know, and if we don’t do anything that’s fine too. We go out there with our guys that have been here working their tails off for us all year long,” Walton said in a report from Lonzo Wires.

Aside from skimming the free agent market, the Lakers could also explore trades. Dealing off Lance Stephenson or DJ Augustin could net a quality guard for Los Angeles, potentially better than gambling on a free agent who may not also be in shape.

With Rondo returning soon, followed by Ball in six weeks to be safe, that additional guard could end being a third string player in the end. He could come in handy until the end of the season and then let go. It is a problem the Lakers have to face if they want to make something out of this season.