The Lakers are reportedly considering a reunion with a former future face of the franchise.
Los Angeles is primed to make a run at reacquiring Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Ball, still only 23 and coming off his best season, is slated for restricted free agency this summer.
According to Stein, Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons, who is rumored to be on the trade market, is highly unlikely to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, because of salary cap considerations.
Ball, a potential sign-and-trade candidate, would seemingly be a more feasible target than Simmons, though Stein cautions even a move for Ball could be "obstacle-strewn."
The Lakers drafted Ball second overall in 2017, but dealt him after two seasons to the Pelicans in the deal that brought Davis to Los Angeles.
The Lakers won a title with Davis, but surrendered a considerable haul of talent to do it, including Ball, emergent superstar Brandon Ingram, a useful role player in Josh Hart, as well as multiple draft picks.
Now, the Lakers find themselves in need of an infusion of talent, with James aging and Davis seemingly constantly banged up. The team seemed to lack depth and direction when both of the superstars missed considerable time last season.
Ball, a Los Angeles native, makes for a sensible target -- a young player just now coming into his own, with ball-handling skills and playmaking ability to potentially lighten the load on the vets. He and James are also known to have a strong relationship. Ball recently said James gave him the most important advice of his career, when he urged him to focus on his game and set aside off-court distractions.
The Bulls, Knicks and Clippers were also expected to be in the mix for Ball, Shams Charania of The Athletic recently reported.
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