The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been in trade talks with the Indiana Pacers to land superstar forward Paul George in a blockbuster deal. Along with the team trying to land the perennial All-Star, the Lakers brass made a surprising move to trade D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets.
On the eve of the NBA Draft, Lonzo Ball, the Lakers projected pick at second overall, was asked about the team making the trade to send Russell to Brooklyn. Ball, who has had no guarantee from the Lakers he’ll be selected at No. 2, said the following about the surprising trade ahead of the draft.
“It’s just how it works,” Ball said of the sudden Russell trade. “I have no say in that. You have to ask the Lakers about it.”
Ball was also asked about the Russell trade possibly being a move to make room for him in the Lakers backcourt and how he feels about that and playing with the players on the squad as well as some other potential additions.
“I’d love to play with anybody, whoever they bring in,” Ball said. “It would be an honor to play with them.”
Although only the draft is tomorrow, there’s still a lot that can happen from now until NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the Lakers’ pick on Thursday night. The Paul George trade rumors continue to swirl with Los Angeles at the center of the trade discussions, and even though the team has been adamant about keeping their lottery pick, that stance may very well change over the course of 24 hours.
In the meantime, Ball will prepare for his dreams to come true whether it be the Lakers taking him at No. 2 or another team soon after deciding to bring him in to be their point guard of the future.