Lonzo Ball went through a full-contact practice on Tuesday but won’t return until after the All-Star break, Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register reports. The Lakers rookie point guard has been sidelined since spraining his left knee on January 13th. Coach Luke Walton remained vague on when Ball would suit up. “When his body is ready, then he’ll play again,” Walton told Teaford and other reporters. “I can’t tell you whether that’s going to be the first game [after the All-Star break], the second game or the third game.”
In other news around the Pacific Division:
- Clippers shooting guard Avery Bradley admits he’s having trouble finding his place in the team’s offensive scheme, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports. Bradley is averaging just 9.0 PPG in 28.6 MPG since he was dealt by the Pistons to Los Angeles as part of the Blake Griffin blockbuster. “I think it’s a mix of me trying to find my rhythm and my game and trying to learn how to play off these guys,” Bradley told Turner. “They have a lot of offensive-minded guys on this team. So I have to figure out, and not only myself, but (coach Doc Rivers) has to figure out how he wants to use me.”
- Forward T.J. Warren is making the four-year, $50MM contract extension the Suns gave him look like a bargain, according to Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic. He’s averaging 19.7 PPG and making over 50% of his field-goal attempts. “Coming into the league, I was known for being a scorer,” Warren told Bordow. “Just getting the opportunity and staying consistent is big for me. I’m just trying to get better, make my way in this league and earn the respect of my peers.”
- It’s no sure thing that the Suns will try to re-sign restricted free agent point guard Elfrid Payton this summer, as Bordow explains in a separate story. Phoenix, which acquired Payton for a second-round pick from the Magic, could free up $10MM in salary-cap space by renouncing Payton’s rights, Bordow continues. With Brandon Knight expected to return next season from a knee injury, the Suns could then draft a point guard as Knight’s eventual replacement and pursue a center in free agency. Bordow adds.
How many PGs are the suns gonna go through before they stick with one? They’ve had Mike James Isaiah Cannon Bledsoe IT Dragic Knight and now Payton just no consistency at the point
the way payton started the magic should go after him.
Don’t forget dad said from Lithuania that if LiAngelo doesn’t sign with Lakers this offseason, Lonzo won’t resign with Lakers when contract is up. LaVar says Lonzo will only sign with team that signs all 3 brothers.
Dionas; Saw your comment about Lonzo on NBCSports.com. Know you’re trolling LaVar. I am your LeChoke buddy!
Dad did this same thing to UCLA. Won’t work on Lakers.
Dionas don’t forget: Kawhi, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, M.J., Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish,
Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Isaiah Thomas, etc. didn’t have to change teams to win a championship. They are all Hall of Famers!
I forgot Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson too. they are LeBron killers!
And forgot Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson. Internet refers to what LeBron and Durant are doing as “buying championships.”
Robert Parrish was on the warriors & traded to Boston, & pippin chased a ring to end his career with both Houston & Portland.
I said players who started on teams and won championships!!! Parrish played his career in Boston and Pippen in Chicago. Pippen wasn’t the same at the end of his career. Chicago traded him to start over like they are doing now. They didn’t leave to chase championships. When Larry Bird was GM in Indiana he said Red Auerbach taught him to keep players together as long as possible. That’s why Boston has so many championships.
You are right Parish did play 4 seasons for Golden State, but it wasn’t like to left to win championships. Bird and McHale were young.
Avery Bradley probably can’t figure out the offensive scheme because Doc Rivers doesn’t have one.