Lakers Rumors: Is LA still relevant when it comes to landing LBJ?

5 of 5

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Could Lonzo Ball make LeBron James better?

We already know what comes on the resume of a guy like LeBron James, and at this point in his career, finding a way to seriously improve what he brings to the table might sound ridiculous. But if you’re Magic Johnson, that’s exactly what you use in your pitch come July.

Now that the Lakers have established a five game winning streak — one win away from making it their longest respective streak of the season — they may have something cooking that James would want to be a part of.

More importantly, Julius Randle is really finding his groove now that he’s back in the starting lineup and getting minutes, which helps put together a priority list for this team in the off-season with him near the top, but not at the summit. Also, Lonzo Ball shot lights out from deep in their latest win over San Antonio on the road with six shots dropping from beyond the arc.

More from LA Sports Hub

If James came to Los Angeles, the biggest concern I would have if you’re a Lakers fan is what this means for Brandon Ingram. You have Kyle Kuzma who can start at the four and Randle can stretch to the five at that point, but what if James and Paul George both come to Los Angeles?

It’d be a starting lineup of Lonzo Ball, Paul George, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, and Julius Randle. There’s no way that Ingram can start at center like Randle could if he had to, and there’s no way that Magic Johnson can validate benching George or James for Ingram.

So what’s the big problem here?

Well, signging James boosts your chacnes of signging just about anybody else. Let’s say James is the first domino to go in free agency, which would be surprising but could totally happen. Consequently, they land Paul George as well.

By the time mid-season rolls around, I don’t think Ingram will like coming off the bench, especially at that point being about two seasons removed from being labelled untouchable when Magic Johnson came into power.

So it really depends on how Ingram handles the news with regard to how this plays out in Los Angeles.

However, a highlight for the Lakers and for LeBron James is that having a pass-first point guard in Lonzo Ball is the only way for James to get better.

So it comes down to asking James — why not?

Worth Noting: LaVar Ball could be an issue, but that’s too much of a wild card to guess about

Biggest Plus: The Lakers would finally land a major free agenct

Next: Could Julius Randle Actually Play Center?

Biggest Question Mark: How Brandon Ingram would respond if left out of starting lineup

Home/Los Angeles Lakers