Los Angeles Lakers: Despite the hype, Lonzo Ball has been a disappointment
By Tron Griffin
Despite the hype that he carried into the league, after two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball has largely been a disappointment
Let’s be honest for a moment and admit that this season for the Los Angeles Lakers so far is a huge failure. Lakers fans will say the team had a lot of injuries this season, but injuries are part of the game and should be prepared for before the start of the season.
The Lakers signing LeBron James was a huge win, but wasting a No.2 pick on Lonzo Ball (a couple years ago) so far has turned into a nightmare.
A top 3 pick is supposed to be a franchise player. Right now, Ball, is nowhere near being a franchise player or an All-Star reserve player. While he has flashed some potential, no one would argue that he’s on the verge of superstardom, not like other young guards Trae Young and Luka Doncic.
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While that’s not all Lonzo’s fault, let’s remember that LaVar Ball, his dad, sold his son as being the next great superstar and many members of the media – and the Lakers – bought into it. Give LaVar credit, because he was able to sell his son to be the next big thing at the NBA level, even as he continues to struggle at the free-throw and 3-point line, respectively.
The major shoe companies must be doing something right because they did not invest in the hype. The major shoe companies’ highest offer to Lonzo was around $15 million over five years, which is a great deal for Ball considering he only averaged 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists a game this season before the Lakers announced he will miss the rest of the season because of a left knee injury.
Now, the biggest question is: Should the Lakers keep Ball? He has one year left on his contract before he can sign an extension with the Lakers.
I am sure his father will promote him as the future of the NBA once again this summer and into next season to try to persuade the Lakers into giving his son a big contract or trading him to a big city like Phoenix, which is a scenario LaVar has discussed with the media.
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The Lakers should try to trade Ball or give him another season to prove he deserves a new contract. So far, Ball is playing at a level that is well below a No.2 pick. James came to Los Angeles to win a championship. He is an older player who cannot afford to wait 2-3 years for Ball to develop into an All-Star caliber player.
The Lakers have already invested a three-year contract in Ball. He must prove he is worth a big contract.