Chicago Bulls players that were stolen away from the Lakers: Lonzo Ball
The idea that the Lakers could go back and sign their former top-three draft pick and ex-New Orleans Pelicans two-way point guard Lonzo Ball during the summer seemed weird on the surface. But there was a maturation process that Lonzo had to go through during his two-season run with the Pelicans.
Lonzo became a better three-point shooter, smarter facilitator, and a quicker decision-maker during his two seasons in NOLA. A lot of the weaknesses in his game that emerged during his first two seasons in the NBA, which both came with the Lakers, were smoothed out in the last two campaigns.
The improvement that Lonzo showed during his two seasons with the Pelicans is being put on full display at the outset of the 2021-22 campaign. Lonzo has averaged 11.9 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks. And he’s shot 41.1 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.
There was a lot that Karnisovas and the Bulls had to give up to land Lonzo in a sign-and-trade deal with the Pelicans during the offseason. But his contract was given for about the right amount that was expected for him over the summer (around $20 million in average annual value).
Given the price tag set for Lonzo during the offseason, the idea that the Lakers could’ve pursued Lonzo doesn’t sound all that crazy after all.