There has been a clear focus on what the Los Angeles Lakers have pursued in players to place around LeBron James. Between guys like Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee, you can tell that the team values veteran experience.
So maybe Lonzo Ball has a valid reason to be concerned about a potential trade, especially since the San Antonio Spurs already appear to have interest in just about every other young player on the roster in a Kawhi Leonard trade. But, of course, when LeBron is on your team, why would you ever want to leave?
On a recent episode of his podcast, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers suspect Ball’s camp were the ones to leak the news of his torn meniscus (as transcribed by Silver Screen & Roll).
“I don’t think the Lakers wanted anyone to know, and I think there is a belief around there that that information was put out there from around Ball’s sphere to keep from getting traded, because if teams knew he was having knee surgery they’re not trading for him. I think there was concern there that he might be put in a deal.” —Adrian Wojnarowski
With the possibility of Leonard getting traded to the Lakers, many fans have wondered about the possibility that Ball would go the other way. It’s a tricky fit to imagine — the Spurs tend to operate with a low profile, while Ball and his family’s Big Baller Brand decidedly do not. You can see why they might prefer Los Angeles.
After all, it’s the greatest city in the world, right? Lonzo couldn’t imagine that LeBron would turn it down... although now, we’re thinking that he was speaking for himself as much as anything.
h/t The Woj Pod
