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Lakers Rumors: Lonzo Ball could have been a New York Knick

By Jason Reed

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Lonzo Ball, along with Brandon Ingram, is regarded as the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, according to the latest Lakers rumors, a former coach almost tore that partnership.

Lonzo Ball was a Laker before a Laker, let’s be honest. The UCLA student was heavily involved in the Lakers rumors before his eventual second overall selection, dating back to March. This was all before the Lakers even had their draft pick, as the team was seemingly attempting to tank to ensure they landed in the top three.

Still, the organization had less than a fifty percent chance to keep their pick. However, being the Lakers, many speculated that this “rigged” draft would somehow benefit the big market of Los Angeles and that it did. Whether or not the draft is “rigged” is a discussion for another day. Regardless, the Lakers got their man in Lonzo Ball.

That selection thus far has seemed to pan out. After a disappointing first game, Ball took the NBA Summer League by storm, winning the league MVP in the process. Sure, it is just Summer League at the end of the day, but his triple-doubles were still impressive.

This had led many to predict that Ball will win the Rookie of the Year of class mate Markelle Fultz and last year’s number one pick Ben Simmons. Ball’s value and offensive playmaking ability have been put on notice by the entire basketball community, with one basketball legend taking note as well.

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Former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson was reportedly interested in trading up to the first overall selection to acquire the playmaking point guard. Alec Nathan of Bleacher Report entails that the trade would have been a straight swap of Kristaps Porzingis for the selection.

In hindsight, this deal may have been perfect for the Boston Celtics. With Gordon Hayward now in the fold, the team is laking a truly great power forward. Now Marcus Morris will fill that role, but Porzingis would have been amazing. Porzingis averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds last season and would have potentially made the Celtics favorites to win the East.

Obviously, things didn’t work out that way. Ball is heading to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers in the second largest market in the United States, behind New York of course. If this deal were to transpire, who knows what the Lakers would have done. Draft Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson or De’Aaron Fox?

Next: Plan B options if LA can't get Paul George

Who really knows. All that matters is the Lakers got their guy, and all the Lakers rumors came to fruition. However, if Jackson would have pulled the trigger, we may have seen the Big Baller Brand in the Big Apple.

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