In just 12 months, the Los Angeles Lakers built one of the most intriguing young cores in the NBA. After selecting Brandon Ingram at No. 2 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Los Angeles landed Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Kyle Kuzma in a span of 29 picks at the 2017 NBA Draft.
Within three years, that young core would be broken up and the Lakers would be crowned NBA champions with only Kuzma receiving a ring.
It's one of the most remarkable examples of roster turnover in recent memory, as Ball, Hart, and Ingram headlined a package that enabled Los Angeles to acquire superstar big man Anthony Davis. In the five years since the trade was executed, conversations about how it all transpired have been limited.
In a recent episode of The WAE show, Ball spoke candidly about the trade—and surprisingly justified the Lakers' decision to get it done.
.@ZO2_ discusses what it’s like to be apart of trade rumors and an actual trade. pic.twitter.com/1elOKfUZrw
— The WAE Show (@TheWAEShow) July 8, 2024
If a player has to be traded, there are certainly worse acquisitions to enable than that of a Hall of Fame talent like Davis.
Lonzo Ball says he would've traded himself for Anthony Davis
Ball has been an excellent player when healthy, showcasing the court vision and defensive capabilities that made him the No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. In his most recent season, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.1 three-point field goals made on .423/.423/.750 shooting.
Unfortunately, Ball hasn't appeared in an NBA game since the 2021-22 season due to an unfortunate slew of issues with his knee.
Even still, it's hard not to imagine what a team built around Ball, Hart, Ingram, and Kuzma could've accomplished. Ingram is now an All-Star, Hart is a key cog on a 50-win New York Knicks team, Kuzma is productive and well-rounded, and Ball is the epitome of an all-around point guard.
Health would need to permit any growth, but that core four could've been great in Los Angeles—although, as Ball alluded to, the Lakers got what they traded for.
In the five seasons since the trade was executed, Davis has helped the Lakers win a championship, reach a second Conference Finals, and make four postseason appearances. He's been named All-NBA and All-Defense in two different seasons with Los Angeles.
That includes 2023-24, when he averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field.
As Los Angeles prepares for the 2024-25 season, Davis has been passed the proverbial baton by LeBron James. Perhaps it didn't require an official declaration, but the 31-year-old has moved from being a co-star to the definitive franchise player.
Losing three of the better players in the NBA in one fell swoop will always leave residual questions behind, but even Ball has acknowledged that Davis was worth the price.