Westbrook trade and 9 other regrettable Lakers moves Pelinka botched
By Tyler Watts
4. Drafting Lonzo Ball over Jayson Tatum
The Lakers quickly zeroed in on Lonzo Ball in the 2017 NBA Draft. The LA native was a lead ball-handler and playmaker the franchise needed to jump out of their rebuild. Ball’s questionable jumper was a drawback, but there was plenty of excitement about the 6’6 point guard.
The Celtics had the number one overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft before trading down to third overall. Boston wanted Jayson Tatum, and they knew that the 76ers and Lakers both planned to take point guards. Philly jumped up to select Markelle Fultz before LA took Ball.
Injuries have derailed Lonzo Ball’s career, but the 6’6 guard has never blossomed into a star. Knee injuries forced him to miss the entire 2022-23 season, and he may be out the entire 2023-24 campaign as he rehabs another procedure. The Lakers traded Ball to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis deal, but the 25-year-old has failed to live up to the hype.
Jayson Tatum is one of the best players in the world. He is already a four-time All-Star that led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022. Tatum is unquestionably the best player from the 2017 NBA Draft, and Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka, and the Los Angeles Lakers passed on him to take Lonzo Ball.