UCLA’s Lonzo Ball jumped on ESPN’s “First Take” to talk this summer’s NBA draft and the possibility of suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following UCLA’s loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 on Friday, many thought–er, hoped–we wouldn’t be hearing from the Ball Family until the weeks leading up to the 2017 NBA draft. To no one’s surprise, we were wrong.
UCLA star and NBA hopeful Lonzo Ball joined his father LaVar on ESPN’s First Take Monday morning to talk about the NCAA Tournament and the upcoming NBA draft. During the interview, Lonzo spoke on growing up in Southern California and what it would mean to play for the Lakers.
“At the end of the day, I’ll play for any team,” Ball told the crew on “First Take.” “The NBA is the NBA, but it would be a blessing to be able to play for the Lakers just because it’s in L.A., I’m from here, my whole family’s here.”
While the Lakers don’t technically have a top-three pick in this year’s draft, however, with only nine games left to play this season, LA should hold on to the league’s second-worst record. Barring any pre-draft injury concerns with Markelle Fultz, Ball should still be on the board if the Lakers pick No. 2.
Most mock drafts project Ball going to the Lakers with the No. 2 pick, including Draft Express, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, The Vertical and FanSided.
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Following closely behind the LA are the Phoenix Suns, who shut down their star point guard Eric Bledsoe for the season. It’s hard to imagine the Suns passing up the opportunity to pair Ball with Devin, who poured an unholy 70 points in the Suns’ loss to Boston Celtics on Friday.
The same could be said for the Lakers, who have tinkered with the starting backcourt all season in hopes of getting the most out of D’Angelo Russell.
A backcourt with Ball and Russell would be a quick fix to that nagging problem.
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But what do you guys think? Is Lonzo Ball destined for glory in Los Angeles? Is there anyone else the Lakers should be looking at with their No. 2 pick? Let us know in the comments below!