It is no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are going to be looking for a secondary playmaker this offseason. Rajon Rondo played the role to perfection in the title-winning team and this season’s team simply did not have that same dynamic.
Dennis Schroder was not that guy and the Lakers simply did not have a second playmaker that could take some of the weight off of LeBron James. The need was obvious during the season and is more obvious now in the offseason.
The latest Lakers rumors indicate that the team may be interested in a player that we have been clamoring for here at Lake Show Life since the offseason began — Lonzo Ball. Love him or hate him, the Lakers are at least interested in him.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported in his Substack newsletter that the Lakers are searching for ways to reacquire the restricted free agent. While Stein admits that the methods are restrictive, it certainly is possible.
The Los Angeles Lakers would have to trade for Lonzo Ball, not sign him.
The Lakers simply do not have the salary-cap space to sign Lonzo Ball this summer. Even if the New Orleans Pelicans are okay with moving on from Ball, there will be other teams that can offer much more than the Lakers. Realistically, the Lakers can only offer Ball an MLE contract, which is far lower than he should get.
However, Rob Pelinka can look to pull off a sign-and-trade, sending New Orleans assets for Ball in return. New Orleans still has control in the situation because he is a restricted free agent, so if the Lakers offer something they can’t deny, it very well could happen.
There are three potential ways that I see this trade going down.