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Lakers rumors: How would LA look if they draft Lonzo Ball?

By Keith Rivas

February 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against the defense of Southern California Trojans guard Jonah Mathews (2) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against the defense of Southern California Trojans guard Jonah Mathews (2) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) walks off the court after a win against the Washington State Cougars at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Bruins won 95-79. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) walks off the court after a win against the Washington State Cougars at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Bruins won 95-79. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guard

Starter: Lonzo Ball | Bench: TBD

Given the way that Lonzo  Ball controls the offense, creates shots, and scores, the Lakers would be foolish to pass up on him if they wind up being in the bottom three of the league. This will protect their pick from Philadelphia, allowing them to yet again take from the cream of the crop.

While Ball has been compared to Steph Curry by his father, even to the point where he is better than the two-time league MVP, that’s not a fair comparison just yet. If anything, the Lakers would need to justify this draft choice based on play, not hype.

It’s only fair, but the fun can come later.

Letting him start sends a message to the league about how much you truly trust the process as an organization. Aside from an injury to Ben Simmons, that same mentality has paid huge dividends for the 76ers.

And now it’s the Lakers’ turn to return to the level of being a contender.

Ball’s backup at point guard is yet to be determined because with the shift from Russel to a new position, the next issue is what the team should do with Marcelo Huertas and Jose Calderon.

Both are fine with a backup role, but they may not make enough of an impact for the team to want to keep them around.

If the Lakers don’t move for a point guard now, the only other time they could do such a thing would be in the off-season. Thankfully, there’s a whole slate of point guards to choose from, but you have to pick your battles.

They’ll be wanting to get paid, and the Lakers will only be able to offer so much.

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