Former UCLA basketball star Lonzo Ball finally worked out with the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday morning, the team that is the favorite to take him in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The workout was a solo one, as no other draft prospects were at the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo, and Ball reportedly was put through a multitude of drills including many to test his shooting.
After the workout Ball spoke with the media, and he addressed what he believes he needs to work on most to have success in the NBA, via Lakers Nation reporter Ryan Ward:
Lonzo Ball emphasizes needing to work on his “strength” #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) June 7, 2017
There have been conflicting reports in recent weeks on whether or not the Lakers plan to draft Ball or go with another prospect like Josh Jackson or De’Aaron Fox. But now that the Lakers brass has seen Ball work out, and has plans to see both Jackson and Fox over the next week, things should become a bit more clear about the direction Magic Johnson and the Lakers intend to go with that pick.
If Ball is selected by the Lakers it would greatly improve the team offensively, as his court vision will help get open shots for everybody, including D’Angelo Russell who would presumably move over to shooting guard.
Ball and Russell in the same backcourt could cause some issues defensively though, and that’s where Ball wanting to add strength could help.
In just one season at UCLA, Ball was able to transcend a UCLA program that hadn’t been very good in previous years into a team that reached the Sweet 16 and finished the season 31-5. He will look to do the same thing for the Lakers if that’s where he ends up being drafted.