Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Lonzo Ball, who will take less money to help the team according to his father, LaVar Ball.
A majority of recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involves the teams plans this upcoming offseason. This is an important offseason for Los Angeles as they will be looking to hit it big in free agency. The Lakers have two selections in the 2018 NBA Draft and a ton of cap space to continue shaping and improving their roster.
Recent Lakers Rumors involve future free agencies. According to LaVar Ball, his son, point guard Lonzo Ball, is willing to help the team when negotiating his next contract.
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype, LaVar said that Lonzo would be willing to take less money if it means giving the team more salary cap flexibility.
In addition to Lonzo, LaVar said the same goes for his two other sons, LiAngelo and LaMaleo, should they also end up on the Lakers. He is confident that they will earn enough money off the court to make up for whatever they would be giving up in their contract.
LaVar Ball reiterated that Lonzo Ball is willing to take less money on his next NBA contract so the Lakers can continue surrounding him with talent. He said the same goes for Gelo/LaMelo, if they join Lakers. He’s confident they’ll make enough off the court to sign at a discount.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 23, 2018
Lonzo probably won’t be a free agent until 2021 once his rookie contract expires. At that point, the Lakers can offer him a qualifying offer, which would make him a restricted free agent. However, Lonzo could become a free agent next offseason if the Lakers so choose so.
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Every first round pick has two option years at the end of their rookie contracts. As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball’s two option years are worth $19.7 million combined; $8.7 million in 2019 and $11 million in 2020.
Los Angeles, in theory, could decline those options and try negotiating Ball’s contract at a lower number. It is an extremely risky move, and probably not worth it given how little the Lakers would be saving.
If Ball continues progressing, those contract numbers will be a steal for someone who impacts the game as he does. Despite his shooting woes last season, Ball still had a productive season overall.
He was a much better defender than anyone thought he would be, as his size and length are a real weapon at the top of the Lakers defense. Ball also averaged 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game, both near the top among rookies this past season. He would have also ranked near the top among point guards, but he did not qualify because he missed so many games due to injury.
The injuries were probably more disappointing than the shooting, as Ball played in only 52 games his rookie season. That is partly why the Lakers are hoping that Ball bulks up this offseason in an effort to keep him healthy.
Next: Lonzo Ball 2018 Offseason To-Do List
If Ball can prove his health and improve his shooting numbers, he will undoubtedly demand a large contract when he hits free agency. The Lakers would benefit greatly if what LaVar said was true and Lonzo would sign for less to give the team some flexibility.