On Thursday night the Los Angeles Lakers finally made what many believed to be an inevitable selection when they selected Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Ball was linked to the Lakers from the moment they landed the second pick in the draft lottery, but there were many times throughout the process that it felt like someone else could be the pick.
Ultimately the Lakers went with Ball and after the draft GM Rob Pelinka spoke on their top pick, who he called a transcendent talent via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Rob Pelinka on Lonzo Ball: "Transcendent talent, there’s something very, very special about his basketball abilities."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 23, 2017
Ball’s passing and court vision is exceptional and he has the ability to really make teammates better which is something the Lakers have to value. Pelinka spoke about not targeting any ball-stoppers in the draft and Ball is the complete opposite of that.
Some may be concerned about Ball’s father, LaVar, causing distractions and issues due to his brash, outspoken nature, but that is not something the Lakers are concerned about. Ball’s talent should speak for itself on the floor and that is what the franchise is banking on.
Along with Ball, the Lakers also added Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and Thomas Bryant in the draft, meaning four new players will don the purple and gold barring any trades that may arise.
Paul George still has yet to be moved and those rumors will continue to float around until something is made official, but for the time being it is Ball who represents the top player added to the Lakers roster.