LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Why signing LiAngelo Ball is great for everyone

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Agent Harrison Gaines looks on as Lonzo Ball #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets his brother LiAngelo Ball #2 after he completed his NBA Pre-Draft Workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on May 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Agent Harrison Gaines looks on as Lonzo Ball #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets his brother LiAngelo Ball #2 after he completed his NBA Pre-Draft Workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on May 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. LiAngelo Ball would bring more eyeballs to the G League than anyone else

Love them or hate them, the Ball family is extremely polarizing and brings attention wherever they go. While that is in large part due to their father, all three Ball brothers will receive massive media attention. Even if they are halfway across the globe in Lithuania.

Signing LiAngelo to a G League deal would bring the G League, in particular, the South Bay Lakers, a ton of attention that will help the NBA build its developmental program. Right now, the G League is simply a collection of players that were not good enough to make the cut for an NBA roster.

It is not serving as a developmental program much like the minor leagues in baseball. And while the G League is relatively young compared to minor league baseball, the NBA’s handling of its’ minor leagues is extremely important as NCAA basketball continues to take hits left and right.

LiAngelo Ball does not represent a developmental prospect, at all. This is not a high schooler that the Lakers are taking with a ton of promise to build up. It is a marketing stunt.

However, the newfound attention to the league will draw elite prospects into the G League. With the NBA reportedly wanting to get rid of the one-and-done rule, they can utilize the G League to pay these prospects to develop in their system for a season or two before joining the NBA.

The G League needs a big name to get that ball rolling, get eyeballs on the G League and make it marketable enough to actually pay these players decent money. LiAngelo Ball is that name.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers