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Los Angeles Lakers: Three bold predictions for Lonzo Ball next season

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to strip the ball from Ed Davis #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to strip the ball from Ed Davis #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Lonzo Ball will continue to be an elite rebounder

Lonzo Ball was advertised as an all-around player coming out of UCLA into the NBA. His scoring was above average for the NCAA, his playmaking and basketball IQ made him the best passer in the draft and his size made him the best rebounding point guard in the class.

At six-foot-six, Ball is one of the largest point guards in the league and that certainly showed last season. While he may not have the same stock as say, Russell Westbrook, Ball utilized his size wonderfully in his rookie year to separate himself in the rebounding department.

Ball averaged 6.9 rebounds per game last season, which would have been good for the third-most among point guards if he was qualified. Granted, more games could have led to a smaller average. However, Ball was so efficient at rebounding that the number may have even grown in those games.

Westbrook and Ben Simmons, who is naturally a small forward, were the two point guards ahead of Ball in the rebounding department. Westbrook is obviously in his prime and Simmons is a year ahead in development.

The Lakers are really going to have a challenge in rebounding the basketball next season with limited size at power forward and a thin depth chart at center. Because of that, we are going to see even better rebounding numbers from Ball, who will establish himself as elite.

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