If LeBron James opts in to his $35.6 million player option for 2018-19, the Los Angeles Lakers may have to part with last year's No. 2 pick to acquire him.
"The one constant that I've heard is Lonzo Ball," Chris Haynes of ESPN reported Friday of a potential trade.
Rumblings over a potential superteam in Los Angeles grew Friday with the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard reportedly preferring a trade to the Lakers.
This brought about speculation about James, Leonard and Paul George combining to create another contender in the Western Conference. Kevin Pelton of ESPN broke down how it could work, noting either Ball or Brandon Ingram would likely be part of a trade.
While Ball struggled at times during his rookie season—shooting just 36 percent from the field and missing 30 games due to injury—he still showcased his potential while filling up the stat sheet. He finished the year averaging 10.2 points, 7.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
Adding in his star power and clear upside, it's understandable why Ball would be a target in a potential trade. Additionally, the guard might not be the best fit alongside James.
If the four-time MVP does come to Los Angeles, he will likely have the ball in his hands often while running the offense, preventing Ball from being a playmaker. The rookie showed he doesn't excel at being a catch-and-shoot player, which limits anyone's effectiveness next to James.
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