Report: ‘Mutual interest’ between Phoenix Suns, Lakers’ Lonzo Ball
Jan 31, 2019, 3:31 PM | Updated: 4:20 pm
Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball drives against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
(AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball share a mutual interest in each other, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Tania Ganguli.
With Anthony Davis requesting a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Los Angeles Times’ Brad Turner reports the Pelicans have had discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers regarding Davis.
In those talks, Turner notes a potential trade scenario for Davis could involve Ball. Ganguli reports that once Ball’s camp was made aware of the talks, Ball has maintained a previously reported stance that the 21-year-old point guard would not prefer to play for the Pelicans.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Monday Ball would want to be moved to a third team that “doesn’t have an established point guard” if he were to be included in a potential Davis deal.
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With all those dots connecting to a team like Phoenix without a long-term plan at point guard, Ganguli reports there is “mutual interest” between the Suns and Ball.
In his second season with the Lakers, Ball is averaging 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assist a game. As a rookie, Ball made the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team.
Ball was selected No. 2 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, two spots ahead of the Suns’ fourth overall pick Josh Jackson.
After Eric Bledsoe started only three games last season and was later traded, the Suns rolled through various point guard options including Mike James, Elfird Payton, Shaquille Harrison and Tyler Ulis.
The team dealt the injured Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets in the offseason, leaving them without a legitimate option at point guard to start the season. Isaiah Canaan started opening night and 14 more games before being waived in late November. The team briefly started Devin Booker at point guard before giving opportunities to rookies Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton. Melton has since held the spot in the starting lineup.
