Lakers Draft Rumors: Phoenix Suns Trying To Move Up For Lonzo Ball?

Corey Hansford
2 Min Read
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Lonzo Ball has always been considered one of the top prospects in the entire 2017 NBA Draft class. Many believe he has the highest upside of any player in the draft thanks to his uncanny court vision.

He has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers since they landed the second pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. One team that the lottery was not kind to was the Phoenix Suns who fell two spots, down to fourth overall.

According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Suns are trying to trade up for Ball and have had conversations with the Lakers:

The Suns have been trying to trade up and have had conversations with both the Lakers and Celtics. Who are they after? Sources point to Ball as the target.

The Lakers seem unlikely to move the second overall pick right now and are reportedly leaning towards taking Ball themselves. The Suns interest in him is intriguing considering their backcourt situation.

Devin Booker is the future of that team, but they also already have Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, and Tyler Ulis in the backcourt as well. If they were able to bring in Ball it would seem to spell the end for Bledsoe and Knight in Phoenix.

Nonetheless rumors continue to dominate with only days left before the NBA Draft takes place on Thursday. The Lakers are reportedly looking to add another first-round pick and the Paul George rumors add in even more possibilities.

The Lakers don’t seem intent on moving on a Paul George trade right now but that could always change and there is plenty of time to make that happen.

As far as a trade down for the Lakers goes, it seems unlikely that they would pull the trigger. Rumors have insisted that that Lakers plan on keeping the pick, but if conversations continue anything could happen.

Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.