The Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily linked to UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball, but the latest rumor is the Lakers aren't sold on taking Ball yet. In fact, the Lakers could still trade down from the No. 2 overall pick.
ESPN's Chad Ford (Insider subscription) reports the Lakers could still move the No. 2 overall pick. They're also still interested in Kansas' Josh Jackson and De'Aaron Fox of Kentucky.
"The Lakers have made a concerted effort to dissuade other teams, agents and the media from believing that Ball to L.A. is a done deal," Ford writes. "It's a good strategy for several reasons, but it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't taking Ball. The Lakers want to control the narrative, which is that they -- not LaVar Ball, Lonzo's father -- are running the process. They have new management and need to project strength. They also don't want teams that might be looking to trade up for a player like Jackson and Fox to assume that they don't have to deal with the Lakers. A trade is still very much an option for the Lakers. They'd prefer to start winning again sooner than later."
Ford also adds that there's a real divide with in the front office is torn on which prospect they like more. Ford puts the draft odds at: 40 percent for Ball, 35 percent for Jackson and 25 percent for De'Aaron Fox.
As for the trade option, Ford doesn't mention what the Lakers would want back. But, the comment he makes about a team trading up for Jackson or Fox is intriguing. The perfect world for the Lakers would be trading down and still getting Ball. However, that seems unlikely. The guess here remains the Lakers will take Lonzo Ball at No. 2 overall.
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