Lakers rumors: Predicting the first four years under Lonzo Ball

(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Fourth Season

Stat Line Average: 17 points, two rebounds, 11 assists

Entering his fourth season, the Lakers could find themselves at another evaluation period. Deciding whether or not Ball is still the right guy moving forward won’t be the hard decision.

However, who they have around him might be what comes into question. Three straight playoff exits, with the last season of MVP caliber. Fans will be looking for Lonzo Ball to replicate what he did in his third season, which might not be possible.

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This all depends, if we’re honest, on his teammates. If he really makes them better, they’ll also be able to return the favor.  Los Angeles will have a conference finals appearance to show for the early years, but a championship will still be in demand.

Winning a ring isn’t the only defining aspect of a player, especially early on. That being said, it shouldn’t be how he evaluate Lonzo Ball in his first few seasons. He’ll still be expected to win a title with them at some point — the sooner the better — but it might not come as part of his first deal.

In all honesty, he’ll decline from his stellar third season. They’ll run the risk of not making the post-season, but squeeze in as an eighth seed and make for a first round upset.

They won’t make it past the second round, though, as they’ll play the Sacramento Kings and De’Aaron Fox will come back to haunt Ball.

It’ll be a contract year for Ball, and despite no ring, the Lakers should easily re-sign him to a new deal.