Breaking News: Lakers Could Recover Lost Treasure in Trade For Elite Playmaking Defender

The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated securing the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, allowing them to select Lonzo Ball from UCLA. Despite Ball’s unique jump shot and talent, his development didn’t align with the Lakers’ championship aspirations under LeBron James, leading to his early trade. Recently, a mock trade suggests the Lakers could acquire an older and improved version of Ball.

In a proposed deal by GIVEMESPORT’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk, the Lakers would trade Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for Ball and Nikola Vucevic. Rovenchuk noted that Ball’s trade value might not be very high due to his lengthy absence from the game, but if the Lakers believe in his physical and mental readiness, bringing him back could be advantageous.

Regarding Vucevic, Rovenchuk mentioned that he would be a significant addition, allowing the Lakers to play a larger lineup with Anthony Davis shifting to power forward.

Ball’s potential impact is reminiscent of what the Lakers hoped for during the draft. In the 2021-22 season, he was an elite outside shooter, hitting 42.3% from three-point range, along with contributing 1.8 steals, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. At 26, he could fulfill the role of a dynamic point guard, driving the fast pace of the game, supporting his teammates, excelling in defense, and being a reliable three-point shooter. While his injury history is concerning, the proposed trade could be a worthwhile risk for the Lakers.

Vucevic would also serve as a valuable addition, known for his scoring and rebounding ability, which could provide crucial support alongside James and during games when Davis is unavailable. Although the Lakers would part with promising talent in Hachimura, the potential for Ball’s growth could help form another championship-contending team.