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Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball is proving trading D’Angelo Russell was the right move

By Asha Doucet

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball as he drives against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball as he drives against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers traded away D’Angelo Russell before the draft and so far Lonzo Ball, the Lakers’ No.2 overall pick, has proved they made the right decision.

Unfortunately for D’Angelo Russell and Los Angeles Lakers fans who loved him, he was a casualty of doing business in the NBA. Although Russell was one of L.A.’s most talented players, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka traded him to the Brooklyn Nets because they were focused on the future.

Russell proved to be a prolific scorer for the Lakers and looked to be on the brink of becoming an All-Star. However, due to a bad contract L.A. desperately needed to get out of, Johnson and Pelinka had to offer him in a trade package that would rid them of Timofey Mozgov’s $64 million salary over four years.

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The trade induced mixed reactions from Lakers fans who were split after the news. Some praised the new regime for making the tough decisions that were best for the future, while others berated Johnson and Pelinka unable to see their vision for the franchise.

After the trade Johnson made a point to praise Russell’s talent and ability but noted that what L.A. needed most was a leader. So because Russell wasn’t the leader the Lakers needed and they had a chance to free up cap space for 2018, offering him to the Nets was the lesser of two evils.

But what made the move smart was that L.A. had a No. 2 overall draft pick in their pocket and they knew there was a point guard in the draft that could be the leader they wanted. Enter Lonzo Ball who the Lakers selected with their No.2 pick.

So far Lonzo has lived up to all the hype and proved Magic and Pelinka ultimately made the right decision. Ball is a floor general and a big reason for the Lakers’ Summer League success and why they are heading to the Summer League Finals against the Portland Trailblazers.

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In six Summer League games, Lonzo has put up two triple-doubles, leads the league in assists and even put his offensive power on display by dropping 36 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. As a whole Ball is averaging 16.3 ppg, 9.3 apg and 7.7 rpg.  

But Ball isn’t doing it alone. L.A. has gotten balanced scoring from all of their starters and are shooting lights out from three. Kyle Kuzma, the Lakers’ No.27 pick, has been a pleasant surprise for L.A. showing off his offensive versatility and has emerged as the team’s leading scorer. Kuzma is averaging 20.5 ppg in Summer League.  

Even though Lonzo is getting a lot of help from his teammates offensively, he’s proved to be the engine that makes everything go. His passing and ability to move the ball is infectious and his presence on the floor makes the game come easier for the four other guys on the court. He has even established winning chemistry with Kuzma that has been the hallmark of L.A.’s Summer League run.

So far the organization and coaching staff are thrilled with Lonzo’s ability and they are excited for the Lakers’ future. During an interview at the Summer League semifinal Pelinka spoke about Ball’s good start.

"“It’s amazing to watch. I feel like the way he’s playing could really transform our whole team and you can see it here in Vegas”"

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Ball has only played in six Summer League games but his play and leadership has lived up to the hype and proved Magic and Pelinka made the right move. With Lonzo’s Las Vegas success, maybe now all of the disgruntled fans that cursed L.A.’s front office for trading D’Angelo Russell can see the Lakers bet right.

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