Lakers Trade Rumors: Insider reveals pathway for LeBron James and Co. to land $80,000,000 guard with similar attributes to Bruce Brown
Lakers insider Jovan Buha believes that acquiring the Lonzo Ball could significantly benefit LeBron James and Co. With GM Rob Pelinka under mounting pressure to make impactful roster changes, the team is exploring moves to strengthen its championship aspirations this season.
Lonzo, currently on a four-year, $80,000,000 contract, has been linked to a potential reunion with the Lakers during the ongoing trade window. The Chicago Bulls guard was originally drafted by the Purple and Gold as the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Buha compared Lonzo to another potential target for the team, Bruce Brown, highlighting the similarities between Ball’s skillset and that of the former Denver Nuggets guard. Additionally, the Lakers insider also hinted at a potential pathway JJ Redick's team could employ to acquire the former UCLA standout.
"I think Lonzo is someone that's going to be on their radar and I think depending on the price if you could get him for a second or two seconds, I think that's an interesting swing, and also someone with that 6'6" frame that could potentially I think be similar to Bruce Brown," Buha said on the "Hoops Tonight" podcast.
The LeBron James-led Lakers are in urgent need of a versatile guard, particularly one who can excel as a perimeter defender. Currently, the team lacks a reliable point-of-attack defender capable of matching up against the opposition’s top perimeter players.
Jarred Vanderbilt, widely regarded as the team’s second-best defender after Anthony Davis, is expected to return on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. However, Vanderbilt's offensive game remains limited and his 3-point shooting is far from consistent.
Acquiring Lonzo Ball would provide coach JJ Redick with a valuable bench option. Ball's ability to guard the perimeter effectively, combined with his offensive contributions, would significantly bolster the Lakers’ roster.
"He's bulked up a little bit throughout his career, so he can guard twos and even some smaller threes and potentially be part of a one-through-three switching scheme," Buha continued.
"And then offensively I think especially coming off the bench as a secondary ball-handler, playmaker and also a spot-up shooter, I think he's someone who's an interesting gamble for them."
Buha's insights come amidst reports suggesting that LeBron and Anthony Davis are increasingly concerned about the front office's ability to make impactful roster upgrades.
Lonzo Ball is only finding his feet after missing nearly three years
Lonzo Ball made his long-awaited return to the NBA this season after nearly three years sidelined by an injury that once threatened to end his career. The Chicago Bulls guard underwent a meniscus transplant and bone allograft in 2023 to repair his left knee, raising serious doubts about his basketball future.
Since his unprecedented comeback, Lonzo has steadily regained his confidence, with noticeable improvements in his performance. Initially coming off the bench, the former Lakers guard has worked his way into the Bulls' starting lineup, as seen in their most recent game against the Clippers on Monday.
Most encouragingly, he has avoided any setbacks, maintaining a consistent playing time of 24-25 minutes per game over the last 10 contests.
This season, he is averaging 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals, while shooting 36.5% from the field, including 33.0% from beyond the arc.