Lakers Trade Rumors: Lonzo Ball wants to be traded to the Bulls or Knicks

What's the rumor?

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to put a trade package together for Anthony Davis ahead of the trade deadline, and Lonzo Ball is expected to be one of the young Lakers' who is included. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Ball wants to head to the New York Knicks or Chicago Bulls:

Although Lonzo Ball has no say in where he lands in a trade, his preference would be for the Lakers to find a third team such as Chicago or New York as a landing spot for the second-year point guard if he were part of a deal for New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly.

Ball’s camp has concerns about how crowded the Pelicans’ backcourt is. The problem for Ball is that he’s a key part of what the Pelicans want in a deal for Davis.

According to sources, the Pelicans view Ball as a player who would become the starting point guard. They don’t see Jrue Holiday as a point guard because he “doesn’t want to be a point guard,” one source said.

In case you didn't know...

Ball was selected by the Lakers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft, and during his debut season, the 21-year-old was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

Ball has continued to perform well this season, averaging 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, although the point guard will miss the next four weeks through injury.

The heart of the matter

Lonzo Ball has no power to wield when it comes to a trade, and the Lakers are unlikely to be swayed by Ball's concerns. The LA Times report also suggests that the Pelicans have big plans for Ball, so it seems as though the point guards doubts are misplaced.

What's next?

The Lakers will next face off with local rivals the LA Clippers, in a game that could see the long-awaited return of LeBron James.