Following the trade of D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, it became abundantly clear that the Los Angeles Lakers would select UCLA’s Lonzo Bell with the second pick on Thursday.
But if we were to ask Ball himself, no such assurances have been made.
Lonzo Ball on whether @Lakers assured him he'd be the No. 2 pick: "No. We'll have to see tomorrow."
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) June 21, 2017
This is likely Magic Johnson and Co. keeping their options open on the trade front. The Lakers have been linked to Paul George with talks currently taking place between them and the Indiana Pacers for the All-Star (more on that here).
While Los Angeles wouldn’t be willing to move the second pick for George, that’s an important asset in trade discussions heading into Thursday’s draft.
While Ball has not been given any assurances, it seems highly likely that he will be a member of the Lakers this upcoming season. We will find out soon enough.