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Lakers should trade D’Angelo Russell for Lonzo Ball

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It feels like a lifetime away when Lonzo Ball was the talk of the basketball world. He was believed to have the potential to be a generational point guard. Seven years on and we are yet to see that version of him.

There have been glimpses here and there throughout the course of his career. But it has always felt like one step forward and three back for Ball.

Injuries have been the main reason behind that. After making a bright start with the Chicago Bulls, he has missed two-plus seasons of basketball due to a knee injury and undergone three surgeries during that period of time.

The hope is that Ball will be back on the court next season. The Bulls are already prepared if he does not, with Josh Giddey set to be their starting point guard moving forward.

The best-case scenario for Ball right now is to get back on the court and prove that he is healthy enough to still be an asset to a team, whether that be the Bulls or someone else.

According to Nathaniel Holloway on GIVEMESPORT, the Los Angeles Lakers should pursue a trade to bring back Ball. He wrote further regarding his suggestion: “Ball is a much better playmaker and passer than Russell and would fit well in a lineup that includes both LeBron and Davis. Russell is more of a shoot-first point guard who took away shots from the All-Star duo last season.

“Ball is a more traditional point guard who looks to pass first but can still knock down shots when given the opportunity.

“Ball is also a much better defender than Russell.”

On paper, Ball does look like a better fit to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the Lakers. The questions are not about his ability on the court though, they are about his ability to stay on it. Also, if he did succeed in returning, would he be the same player?

Of course, the Lakers were the ones who drafted Ball second overall in 2017 and he spent two seasons playing in Los Angeles before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Davis deal.

Any team pursuing a trade for Ball in the future would be taking a major risk. But with the Lakers needing to shake things up to be contenders again, will they be open to the idea?