The Lakers are expecting Lonzo Ball to return soon from his injured left knee, possibly before the end of the current road trip, writes Bill Oram of The Orange County Register. The injury, which has officially been classified as a sprained MCL, took place January 13.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if within a couple days, a week, whatever it is, they say he’s ready to start practicing again,” coach Luke Walton said. “But we’re still training and approaching it as if it’s long-term.”
Ball joined the team at the end of today’s practice, but spent most of the time getting treatment on the knee, lifting weights and working on his shot. Walton said that once Ball goes through a full practice and feels fine the next day, he can start playing again.
There’s more NBA news out of Los Angeles:
- Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. was slightly surprised to hear his name brought up in trade rumors for the first time in his career. Appearing on a podcast with Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype, Nance said he realizes it’s part of life in the NBA. “At the end of the day, it’s a business,” he said. “If something like that were to happen, if I were to get traded to a different team, it would be a team that would value me. I try to look at it like that, just as an opportunity.”
- Clippers guard Lou Williams was passed over for the All-Star Game for a second time today when commissioner Adam Silver picked Oklahoma City’s Paul George to replace the injured DeMarcus Cousins. Williams, averaging a career-best 23.6 points per game after being traded to L.A. last summer, offered his reaction on social media, first tweeting, “What’s crazier than 1 snub??? 2,” then offering a more philosophical response. “Y’all talking to a guy that’s been coming off the bench 7 plus years,” he wrote. “Lol i ain’t hurt about no all star snub. It’s dope to be in the conversation. I wanted it just to represent the underdogs. Not for validation.” (Twitter link)
- There’s no guarantee DeAndre Jordan will be with the Clippers past the February 8 trade deadline, but if does leave, it will be with the franchise record for games played, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Jordan set the mark of 716 Friday night in Memphis. “It’s been a long journey,” he said. “Coming here when I was 19 and not playing hardly at all my first year, it’s been a cool ride though. They stuck with me and let me grow into a better player and person. Making history is always great, whatever you’re doing.”
A post about a Ball that wasn’t annoying! What a breath of fresh air.
Ha! Was just thinking the same thing. Also hoping his return doesn’t mean the return of his load mouth Dad.
Lonzo is a bust. Book it!
Lonzo “working on his shot” lol.
Until he changes that form and straightens that right elbow/arm and puts his index finger in front of his face/forhead, his shot is going nowhere.
Ha – his daddy will disagree with you (comment made in jest of course).
Based on season to date performance, if they could redo the draft, I wonder where Ball would be selected. I’m having a hard time putting him in the top 10.
I think his shot is terrible but as a player I think he benefits the team. His draft position at number two is fine with me.
Great Character, never whines, unselfish on the floor, great size, willing Defender, gets to the basket, tremendous vision and Court awareness.
I think he’ll be fine…, but to be great he needs to fix that broke ahzs jump shot.
Lakers Nation says teams are willing to take on Luol Deng if the Lakers include Lonzo, Brandon Ingram, or Kyle Kuzma.
Lonzo and Kuzma are the future of LA.
Ingram is overrated, in my opinion, and is PERFECT trade bait. So I’d take that. And look at trading Lopez while we’re at it. Kawhi Leonard would be a nice fit….. just sayin!
Isn’t Deng a pretty good player? He’s 6-8, defends, scores a little…. Yeah he’s overpriced but just keep him. You don’t want to take two steps back and one step forward.
Unless!! of course you can get 3 of those Superstars, then get rid of Ingram or kuzma to get rid of Deng.
Other than that, two superstars and deng and the Young Guys ….that’s fine.
Deng is a old fart
Deng has inadequate glamour. Needs a nip and a tuck. So does Cousins now!
Lonzo will be the joke of the league sooner then later, the kid acts like a fool and does not have a championship pedigree nor will he ever.
I don’t see the point of trading Nance, he’s cheap labor for next year. They need to trade Lopez, Clarkson, and Randle. Randle to the Nets for the Toronto Pick and Stauskas, Nets get him as an RFA. Lakers need to try and pick up a 1st rounder at this trade deadline somehow.