Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless agreed on something for once, with both analysts seeing a potential Lonzo Ball return to the Los Angeles Lakers with good eyes.
‘Zo’ is set to end his tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans, as the team won’t match significant offers for the talented point guards. Recent reports suggest Lonzo will play for a new team next season, and he already has good options to continue his NBA career.
The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers are mentioned among the teams that could make a run for Ball, but the Lakers are part of that list, too. The purple and gold are reportedly looking to sign a solid playmaker, and Lonzo fits that description perfectly.
For the two FS1’s Undisputed analysts, this is the perfect move for the Lakers. Sharpe said that the oldest Ball brother enhanced his level since he left the team in 2019, and now it’s time to prove himself on the big stage again.
“Don’t tell me you can’t improve if you put the time in, and we can see [that] Lonzo Ball has put the time in,” Sharpe said. “Lonzo Ball is a great fallback plan – cause I don’t believe they’re gonna match or they’re gonna try and retain [Dennis] Schröder. So I like Lonzo. [He] plays defense, can knock down 3s, he’s gotten better since he left.”
https://twitter.com/undisputed/status/1415323825789673477
Bayless agreed with that notion, saying it’s time for Lonzo to show he can be a valuable piece for the Lakers.
“This would work. I would love … to see Lonzo Ball get a chance to redeem himself,” he said on Wednesday. “What I love the most about Lonzo and LeBron is they connected. Because Lonzo has nothing but respect for LeBron James. Because Lonzo is a gifted passer and appreciates greatness. Obviously, LeBron’s still the best passer in basketball, and [he] gets that. Lonzo admires and honors that. I think they had a connection where LeBron considers himself a little bit like a big brother.”
Ball was one of the players traded to New Orleans in 2019. The young point guard took his game to the next level and will have a lot of options this offseason. A reunion with LeBron James at Staples Center seems to be an excellent choice for him, but it remains to be seen if Lonzo is entertaining that idea.
