Before he was even drafted, Lonzo Ball was connected with trade rumors with the Lakers. Those murmurs never slowed all the way to the point of Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis.
In Los Angeles, it became increasingly clear that a trade would have been the only way to end the rumors. Now in New Orleans, Ball is ready to push the trade talks and pressures of playing in L.A. behind him.
“I think it was tough being a young guy, especially in LA with all the people looking at you. We had a lot of responsibility over there. I think just growing up, being in the league two years, you find ways to block it out. I know I was doing it myself before I got hurt…I know BI was, I know J-Hart was. It comes down to just playing basketball. Everything else is extra.”
It’s true that when the young core wasn’t dealing with trade rumors, they were dealing with expectations of reaching the playoffs in their second season. The spotlight is obviously brighter in Los Angeles and that amplifies the pressure. Only certain young players, or any player period, can handle.
The good news for the young players traded to the Pelicans is that they are now in a situation where the spotlight is off as is the pressure to win now.
