The 2017 NBA draft lottery couldn’t have worked out much better for Lonzo Ball and his father LaVar, who have long expressed a desire for Lonzo to end up with the Lakers. In the wake of L.A. landing the No. 2 overall pick on Tuesday night, LaVar Ball told Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation that Lonzo may not audition for any other teams at or near the top of the draft.
“Just the Lakers,” LaVar said. “There’s nobody else that we need to work out for.”
[RELATED: 2017 NBA draft lottery results]
While LaVar’s comments sounded pretty declarative, a source close to Ball tells ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Lonzo remains undecided on whether he’ll work out for teams besides the Lakers. That source admitted that Los Angeles is the preferred destination for the Ball camp, but said a decision would be made “closer to June” on whether the former UCLA point guard will work out for any other teams.
Both Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and GM Rob Pelinka indicated to ESPN that there are several options available to them with that No. 2 pick, suggesting that the team won’t necessarily just take whoever is left after the Celtics select Ball or Markelle Fultz. A Lakers source tells ESPN that players under consideration for the team at No. 2 include De’Aaron Fox, Josh Jackson, and Jayson Tatum, in addition to Ball and Fultz.
Still, it seems likely that the Lakers will ultimately land on one of those top two point guards, assuming they don’t trade the pick. And Pelinka says a trade probably won’t happen, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t explore it,” Pelinka said of the possibility of trading the No. 2 selection. “But this pick has extraordinary value.”
[RELATED: Several teams evaluating potential D’Angelo Russell trades]
The Lakers didn’t interview Ball at last week’s draft combine, but intend to have him in for a workout in the coming weeks, Johnson confirmed, according to Mark Medina of The O.C. Register. The new Lakers president also said the club will work out Jackson, per Medina.
Lonzo Ball May Only Work Out For Lakers
That is fine by me, I do not want the Sixers to take him!!!
#DennisSmith4SixerPG
We will draft Josh Jackson
Jackson
Boston won’t touch him. Lakers may regret it too with Dad second guessing every move. Sure to be a PR nightmare.
F him. F the Lakers. F everything.
-Suns fan
Someone’s mad they got screwed in the lottery lmao
This is perfect because lonzo will team up with Tussell to destroy that locker room. Meanwhile we get Monk, Fox, Jackson, or Tatum (no idea who the 76ers will take). As a Suns fan i am disappointed we missed on the 1 and that the lakers kept their pick but I still think we are in great shape
Russell* F my pudgy fingers
Tussell actually made sense. lol.
I can’t see Philly drafting a big. I think we’ll somehow land Jackson @ 4. A man can dream, can’t he?
This kid is dumb if make that choice it could effect his future if I was the lakers I wouldn’t draft him to much of a headache
I would love it if the kings traded their 2 first rounders for the lakers #2 and he ends up in that mess
How is it dumb ? Everybody and their grandma knows the lakers are going to pick him, so what’s the point of scheduling other workouts.
Because he could become the # 1 pick
Maybe he falls to the Clippers.
He goes to the Lakers at #2 and turns out to be a major draw and superstar.
And his dad will sit with magic in suite laughing and collecting rings
collect ah thing we’re… in L.A….
Then you all wake up and realize he’s a bum and chokes on the pressure and his dad steals all his money
I just want to see a bunch of blocks when athletic bigs switch onto him. Will be hilarious.
Lakers ‘blow it up’
Trade Russell + Deng to Knicks for Melo + 8th
Trade Ingram + Randle + 8th pick for PG-13
Trade Mozgov + #28 for Brook Lopez
Draft Lonzo Ball #2
C – Lopez
PF – Melo / Nance Jr
SF – PG-13
SG – Clarkson
PG – Ball
This is so dumb. That team won’t win a ring or contend for a ring. Lakers wouldn’t do that trade with the he Knicks. Lakers won’t give all that up for an expiring contract and nets would never do that deal.
Ahahah somebody has been playing to much NBA 2k
never happen
This is playoff starter
Congratulations, you just built a #8 seed in the West at best. And all it cost you was 5 years of development.
NO!
Would love it if they trade down and land De A A Ron
Magic should fish the #2 pick to Phil and a package for Porzingus. Trade 8 th for 2 and give him Randle and Clarkson.
Bsport NO!