Lakers Rumors: Team hoping for second Lonzo Ball workout

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: The team reportedly wants to bring Lonzo Ball back for a second workout prior to the 2017 NBA Draft.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors have been popping up consistently in recent days. With the 2017 NBA Draft quickly approaching, there are reports flying about which team will select who. There are a lot of smokescreens at this time of year, so sifting through which reports have any truth to them are difficult.

The Lakers are going to be busy in the first round of the draft. They own two selections; No. 2 and No. 28. The second pick has been garnering a ton of attention since the Lakers landed it via the NBA Draft Lottery.

One of the players who has garnered a ton of attention in regards to the second overall pick is UCLA point guard, Lonzo Ball. There have been wide-ranging reports about just how interested the Lakers are in the UCLA product.

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At the onset of the draft process following the lottery, popular opinion was that Ball would land with the Lakers. It was a match made in Hollywood. Ball’s father, LaVar, had been vocal about wanting his son to play for the Lakers. It looked like his wishes would come true when the Lakers landed the second pick.

But, things have turned. As the process has gone on, the Lakers have seemed to sour on Ball. There could be some gamesmanship involved, but reports have not been glowing about Ball to the Lakers.

It was reported earlier in the month that had the draft been held then, the Lakers would have passed on Ball. It was clear that Ball would have his work cut out for him during his workout. He would need to really knock it out of the park to get back into the driver’s seat.

According to sources present, the workout did not go as well as hoped. Ball did not seal the deal, as he took part in a solo workout. It is difficult for a player such as Ball to shine in a solo workout. His best attribute, his passing, is not easily displayed when playing two-on-two with assistant coaches.

While the workout may not have been conducive to showcasing Ball’s skills, the Lakers weren’t thrilled with what they saw. Ball’s conditioning was reportedly lacking. That is not what you want to hear, especially as other prospects seem to be moving up the Lakers’ draft board.

De’Aaron Fox has been a popular name, and now Josh Jackson seems to be gaining some traction. The Lakers have worked Jackson out twice, which could signal that they have serious interest in him.

Jackson is the only prospect that the Lakers have worked out twice thus far. But, they are hoping to change that. According to Brad Turner of the LA Times, the Lakers are hoping to have Ball in for a second workout.

Magic Johnson says Lakers working on bringing Lonzo Ball back for second workout
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 14, 2017

If Ball performed as poorly as reports indicate he did at the workout, he has to take advantage of this second workout opportunity. Whether the Lakers are throwing out a smokescreen in regards to Jackson, it wouldn’t help for Ball to go back, play well, and get a positive report out.

Ball’s pre-draft workouts and schedules have been put together meticulously. With the Lakers interest potentially waning, it could backfire. Ball has yet to work out for another team, which could end up backfiring.

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It will be interesting to see if the Lakers can get Ball in for a second workout. They may want to give him another change to showcase his talents after coming in out of shape for the first one. Returning in better shape and performing well would go a long way for Ball, whose draft stock is seemingly heading in the wrong direction.