The Los Angeles Lakers head into the 2017 NBA Draft on Thursday with the franchise potentially set to make some drastic changes to go along with the recent move to trade away D’Angelo Russell.
The team is reportedly trying to make a deal for Paul George and is also on the cusp of drafting Lonzo Ball or another top-tier prospect.
Ahead of Thursday’s draft, Ball sat down with L.A. Times reporter Tania Ganguli to talk about a number of different topics. Of course, among the most interesting topics was the prospect of playing for the Lakers and the possibility of playing alongside superstars George and LeBron James in the near future in Los Angeles:
“The thought of that is crazy,” he says, smiling again. “My favorite player, the best player in the world. When you get to hear I might be able to play with LeBron, Paul George, it’s crazy. Until it happens, I don’t know. If it happens I’ll be happy. I don’t know what else to say.”
The rumors swirling about George’s immediate future have been circulating for the last couple of months and have intensified leading up to the draft. George intends to opt out of his contract with the Indiana Pacers next summer and has told the team as well as informing his agent to make it known that he will be signing with the Lakers in free agency.
As for LeBron, the future of the three-time NBA champion is less certain. The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing everything within their power to surround him with the talent needed to compete with the Golden State Warriors, including competing with the Lakers for George’s services.
If the team can make moves to improve the team and Cleveland falls short again next season, James has the option to get out of his deal with the Cavaliers and test free agency once again which many believe will be the case.
Along with all the rumors about George’s seemingly imminent departure from Indiana, LeBron has been linked to the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers in terms of those two teams being potential destinations next summer.
Needless to say, it’ll be an exciting year for the Lakers as the team could potentially become a powerhouse once again if everything falls into place as Magic Johnson and company likely hope it does.