For anyone hoping that Lonzo Ball would suit up for the Phoenix Suns next season: We had bad news. Alternatively, we have good news for the fans that don’t want the Los Angeles Lakers to trade Ball to Phoenix this summer.
A day after Fox Sports Radio’s Jason McIntyre reported that the Suns were having discussions about trading the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft for Ball, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 — one of the most well-respected Suns reporters in the business— denied the report:
For Suns fans, this might not be the most encouraging news.
Even taking into account all of Ball’s injury concerns and off-the court baggage, he would would have been the best point guard the Suns have had since Eric Bledsoe upon arrival. Additionally, Ball would have been the perfect complement to Devin Booker, who signed a five-year, $158 million extension with Phoenix last summer.
That being said, the rumored trade never made much sense for the Lakers in the first place.
If the Suns were planning on offering the No. 6 pick in addition to a prospect, like Mikal Bridges, or a future first-round pick, maybe the Lakers would have considered shipping Ball to Phoenix. Otherwise, there’s no reason to believe the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft is equal value to Ball, who has shown signs of being an elite two-way point guard when healthy.
The Suns could always re-visit a potential Ball trade later this summer, but right now it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent. For Lakers fans, that’s good news.
