LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Lakers Rumors: Predicting each players’ stat-line next season

By Jason Reed

April 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) reacts after scoring a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) reacts after scoring a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Lakers Rumors – Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Lakers Rumors – Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

PG. Lonzo Ball

Predicted Stats: 11.7 PPG, 8.8 APG, 5.5 RPG

This, obviously, is assuming that the Los Angeles Lakers pick Lonzo Ball with the second overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. Granted, at this point, anything can happen with several stars rumored to be in the mix with Los Angeles. Still, the most likely selection for the Lakers is indeed the UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball.

What the Lakers need is a playmaker that can distribute the ball to the rest of their young guys. D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle are all great – but they rely on their scoring to get better. None of these guys are pass first guys, and that is apparent as Russell as only averaged 4.0 assists per game as a point guard.

This lack of distribution may be what is hurting this young Lakers core, preventing them from taking that extra step. Los Angeles ranked 26th in assists per game last season, showing they do need to dish the rock more often. Bringing in a playmaking Ball would be the first step to solving that problem.

11.7 points may seem a little low to the everyday fan, but it should not be concerning. Ball can score when he wants. Despite having an ugly jump shot, Ball did shoot a modest 55.1 percent as a freshman in college.

Ball will bust out games where he scores 25 here and there, but as he comes into the league he is going to need to rely on his playmaking to succeed. Ball will be brought in as a rookie to play a pass-first game, which will rank him fairly high in the NBA rankings for assists per game.

Home/Lakers Rumors