Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: The Lakers have reportedly set up a date for UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball to workout for the team.
Los Angeles Lakers rumors are going to start picking up as the team is going to be busy over the next couple of weeks. The Lakers own two first round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft; the No. 2 overall selection and No. 28. They will be holding a number of pre-draft workouts and interviews to narrow down the list of prospects and pinpoint the ones that they want to target.
One of those players that the Lakers are likely to target is UCLA star point guard, Lonzo Ball. It has been no secret that the Lakers have their eyes on Ball. The Lakers are reportedly enamored with the Chino Hills product, and Lonzo’s father, LaVar Ball, said that his son would only play for the Lakers.
Lonzo has stated previously that he would play for any of the 30 NBA teams, but playing for the Lakers would be special. He grew up in Chino Hills, California and attended UCLA. His family still lives in Chino Hills, so playing in front of them would be something that means a lot to him.
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The Lakers are moving one step closer to making that a reality, as we have a reported date as to when Ball will be working out for the team.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne, the Lakers will be having Ball in for a workout on June 7th. In addition to the workout, Shelbourne reports that Ball will meet with front office personnel and the coaching staff for the team.
The source also added that this is likely to be a solo workout for Ball, as no other prospects are scheduled to attend. This should only help Ball’s chances of landing with the Lakers. He would have to seriously bomb the workout and meetings for the Lakers to change their mind since there will not be another prospect there competing against him.
There is a good chance that this is the only workout that Ball participates in prior to the NBA Draft. He is unlikely to take part in workouts alongside other prospects, and LaVar Ball has already said that the Lakers are the only team that he will work out for prior to the draft.
Ball will not be having a workout with the Boston Celtics, who hold the first overall pick, according to Celtics president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge.
While Ainge said that Ball politely declined a workout with the Celtics, there are rumors swirling that Ball could schedule a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the third pick in the draft.
Talks are expected to be held between Ball’s agent and the 76ers front office to discuss a potential workout. Unless something drastic happens between now and June 22nd, Ball is likely headed to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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LaVar Ball has repeatedly expressed his desire for Lonzo to play for the Lakers, saying it even when the Lakers had less than ideal odds in the NBA Draft Lottery. The Lakers had Lady Luck on their side that night, which could make LaVar’s wishes come true and the Lakers landing the prospect they have high hopes for.