Number Two – Lonzo Ball
Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!
While a young Jeff Teague might have been the best possible point guard the Phoenix Suns could have potentially traded their sixth overall pick for, in reality, Lonzo Ball is arguably – although in my opinion, hands down – the best player the Suns could trade their pick for, and should do it if the Lakers agreed.
While Ball is currently a poor shooter, the roster will be built around Devin Booker anyway, so the loss of one player’s shot for the time being should be no hindrance in Ball’s acquisition.
Too often too throughout NBA history have players struggled with their shot for a time only to find it after several years.
Immediately three very good players come to mind in Jason Kidd, Karl Malone (The Mailman shot 48.1% and 59.8% from the free throw line in his first two seasons only to ramp it up to 70.0% and beyond for all but one year over the following 17), and Kemba Walker.
One should not leave out Ricky Rubio as well, who I recently wrote would be a great point guard free agent target for the Suns.
Brad ended his summary of this potential trade with “the Suns, for once in their recent history, could find a buy-low opportunity,” a harsh but somewhat fair assessment of Phoenix’s inability to nab solid players in trade.
That said, it is a little bit mistaken as Suns management haven’t really been making any trades willfully, however the concept remains: if the Lakers would take the sixth overall pick for Lonzo Ball, make the trade and do not even think twice about it.