The Los Angeles Lakers are now going hot and heavy after New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis.
One report on Thursday indicated that the Lakers had offered up youngsters Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac as well as a first-round pick to the Pelicans for the disgruntled Davis.
Sources: Lakers let Demps know one of trade scenarios would include Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, No. 1 pick, per source.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) January 31, 2019
Ball’s inclusion in trade talks with the Pelicans is not surprising. Even before Davis requested a trade, rumors out of Southern California concluded that Los Angeles was looking to move the former No. 2 overall pick.
There is, however, an important backdrop to all of this. Ball has made it clear through the media that he has no interest in playing for the Pelicans. Recent suggestions are that he prefers a three-team trade — hopefully ending up with either the Knicks or Bulls in the process.
Now according to this report from Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, the Phoenix Suns are interesed in adding Ball. The report also notes that there’s mutual interest from Ball’s camp.
After learning of the Lakers’ offers to the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball’s camp maintains that New Orleans isn’t the desired destination. Phoenix makes the most basketball sense if Ball were to be traded and according to two sources there is mutual interest.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 31, 2019
This makes a ton of sense in that Phoenix has been in the market for a point guard of the future to team up with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. The team also has assets to send to New Orleans in a potential three-team trade with the Lakers.
Sidelined until at least March with an ankle injury, Ball has never really been a fit with LeBron James and the Lakers. A change of scenery would do him a world of good.