The Los Angeles Lakers have never been shy about adding in the buyout market, and Lonzo Ball is soon-to-be available after being traded to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Cleveland was eager to get off his salary, and the Jazz were happy to take him on for draft capital. Utah has no interest in keeping the veteran guard, and Ball will certainly be interested in a homecoming.
The Lakers have been quiet amid a flurry of trades. They desperately need an upgrade if they want to be serious contenders, but Los Angeles is sticking to their plan of having offseason flexibility to improve around Luka Doncic. The Lakers have an open roster spot and will draw interest from all the top names who are bought out.
Ball is having a rough season, but is finally healthy after a series of knee injuries. The 28-year-old was drafted second overall by the Lakers in 2017, but never quite blossomed into a star. Los Angeles traded him to get Anthony Davis two years later. There was zero regret after they won a championship and used AD to get Luka. This could be Lonzo’s chance to finally return home.
Lakers have a prime buyout target in Lonzo Ball
Ball averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals in 20.8 minutes per game over 35 appearances for the Cavs this season. He shot just 30.1 percent from the field and 27.2 percent on his 3-point attempts. Despite the shooting woes, Ball still produced a 0.1 value over replacement player.
The Lakers desperately need defense. They rank 24th in defensive rating and are atrocious at guarding on the perimeter.
The Cavaliers were 2.7 points per 100 possessions better on defense when Ball was in the game and produced a 112.7 defensive rating. Ball doesn’t deserve all the credit, but his high basketball IQ allows him to be a plus even as his athleticism and lateral quickness were sapped by injuries.
Luka Doncic makes everyone look better on the offensive end of the floor. He would get Lonzo open looks and create chances for him to make the extra pass. Could it get Ball back to being a plus shooter and impactful two-way contributor? That seems like a stretch given his injury history, but the Lakers may take a shot.
There is virtually no risk as it will just be a rest of the season contract. No matter the results, the Lakers are likely to move on in the offseason. They want pieces that fit around Luka, and Ball’s inconsistent shooting prevents him from being the ideal option.
The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the playoffs with 15 players under standard contracts. There is zero reason to promote someone from a two-way contract, so expect Rob Pelinka to be searching the buyout market. Lonzo Ball figures to be one of the best available options, despite his warts.
Do not be surprised to see the Lakers bring him back for a second stint in purple and gold. They will hope to get whatever he has left in the tank after being motivated by getting bought out. It may be nothing, but Ball’s connective play and potential two-way impact give him a shot. That is all the Lakers can ask for at this stage.