Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers Rumors: Pat Riley Hints At L.A. Drafting Lonzo Ball
Lakers NewsRumors

Lakers Rumors: Pat Riley Hints At L.A. Drafting Lonzo Ball

Trevor Lane
Published: 06/06/2017
2 Min Read
Kareem Abdul-jabbar Talks John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Lakers, Ivica Zubac’s Skyhook, & More
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The NBA Draft is slowly inching closer and speculation is heating up about what the Los Angeles Lakers will do with the second overall pick. Most consider UCLA’s Lonzo Ball to be the likely choice, but recent rumors have thrown that into question.

Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and Kansas’ Josh Jackson are considered to be the main candidates to usurp Ball’s spot with the Lakers. There has also been speculation that the Lakers might trade down in the draft, which could be an interesting wrinkle if they feel that a talented player can be had later on.

The bottom line is that no one is truly certain of what the Lakers will do, and with just over two weeks to go until the draft, that includes the Lakers themselves. However, at an event for American Express, Miami Heat president Pat Riley shared the stage with Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson, and commented that Johnson will have to fight the urge to mentor Lonzo Ball in this great video from ESPN’s Arash Markazi:

Pat Riley said Magic Johnson is still a leader and is going to have the urge to go onto the court and be Lonzo Ball's mentor next season. pic.twitter.com/0LvtL18U8n

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 6, 2017

It’s possible that Riley was simply looking to get a reaction out of the crowd, and if that was the case, then mission accomplished. Riley and Johnson are longtime friends, but since they work for competing organizations, it’s unlikely that Johnson would tip his hand about which way Los Angeles is leaning in the draft.

Then again, if Riley is privy to what Johnson and the front office are currently thinking, then perhaps he just gave away some real intel. Rumors are flying, but we won’t know which way the Lakers went for sure until their pick is announced on June 22nd.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Lonzo BallPat Riley
ByTrevor Lane
Trevor Lane is a longtime NBA and Los Angeles Lakers fan who had the good fortune to grow up during the glory days of the Showtime Lakers, when Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and the rest ruled the Great Western Forum. He has written about basketball, soccer, fantasy sports, MMA, and even pro wrestling over the course of his career, but the spectacle that is the Lakers is his true passion. He made the leap into podcasting for Lakers Nation and provides voice-over analysis for our YouTube channel. With a who's who of stars gracing the Lakers lineup over the years, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and many others, the Lakers always provide plenty to talk about. When he isn't writing or recording, Trevor can be found spending time with his wife and daughter or on the sidelines for one of the youth teams he coaches. Outside of the Lakers, Trevor is a supporter of the LA Galaxy, US Soccer, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Contact: trevor@mediumlargela.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?