Los Angeles Lakers: 3 former Lakers Rob Pelinka should bring back
By Jason Reed
3. Lonzo Ball, member of the Los Angeles Lakers from 2017-2019
Lonzo Ball would be a perfect member of this Los Angeles Lakers team with how it is constructed around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While it was not always pretty in the one year that Ball spent with LeBron, there is so much potential there and even now it might be a better fit than it once was.
Ball is the perfect secondary playmaker to put next to LeBron. The Lakers need someone who can take some of the creating burden off of James and Ball is that guy. He is someone who can take the ball up court when needed but is really good at facilitating without needing a high usage rate.
His three-point shooting has gotten significantly better and that was a massive hole during his time in LA. His defense has taken a step back but he has the physical traits to be a great defender and has shown that he can be a great defender. Frank Vogel would get the most out of him.
The one thing holding this back is how creative the Los Angeles Lakers would have to be. With Ball being a restricted free agent, the only real way to get him would be a sign-and-trade of some sort.
The Lakers do not have space to straight-up sign Ball and there is no way the Pelicans would allow the Lakers to sign Ball without matching for nothing. However, Ball has not been a great fit in New Orleans and perhaps the Pelicans want to pivot at point guard without losing the asset.
Enter Dennis Schroder, who has sign-and-trade potential this offseason. The Lakers would have to add slightly more than a one-for-one swap with the Pelicans because New Orleans has more leverage with Ball being restricted, but it is something the Lakers can definitely pull off.
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And if so, Rob Pelinka would be netting the much more talented point guard.