Los Angeles Lakers must be patient if they draft Lonzo Ball

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; NBA former player Magic Johnson (middle) looks on before a game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

A Message to Lakers Fans:  It takes time to truly build a quality franchise

The mental and physical maturity of James and Garnett cannot be replicated by most at the age of nineteen. Even today, after working out for the Lakers, nineteen-year-old Lonzo Ball admitted he needed to get stronger.

The question now becomes: How much time do the Lakers have for Lonzo to develop? This Lakers franchise is in a frantic state of peril, searching for any shred of hope to alleviate repetitive losing seasons, however, it is unreasonable for them to expect Lonzo to be a rapid game-changer.

Success is not microwavable. It takes time to truly build a quality franchise. Avoid buying into the myth that a high draft picks equal instantaneous sensations. Eliminate placing rookies on a pedestal by looking past their mythological powers and start strictly viewing them as potential assets for the future.

Next: Who do the Lakers land in our complete first round mock draft?

Lonzo Ball might become a great player for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, that might take time.

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