'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Lonzo Ball was taken second overall in the 2017 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, and upon being selected, Lakers president Magic Johnson heralded the then-teenager as the 'future face' of the franchise.
However, Ball's time in Los Angeles was disappointing, and the Lakers sent the point guard to New Orleans earlier this summer as part of the blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis.
Ball will be joined in New Orleans by Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram, and playing for the Pelicans may prove to be the fresh start that he needs. Nevertheless, some NBA analysts have suggested that Ball could be moved before the end of the season, and the Pelicans already possess an elite point guard in Jrue Holiday.
So, with a trade possible ahead of the February trade deadline, here we will look at three potential destinations for Ball.
#3 Phoenix Suns
Despite the standout performances of Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns continue to show little progress. The franchise has not reached the playoffs since 2010, and over the past two seasons, the Suns have managed a total of just 40 wins.
The team has occupied the bottom of the Western Conference, and while Booker is signed through 2024, he could push for a trade if the Suns fail to improve.
Phoenix's draft picks hold plenty of weight, and the team was interested in signing Ball last October. A Ball-Booker backcourt pairing has immense potential, and the recently signed Ricky Rubio isn't Phoenix's long-term answer. Ultimately, the Suns may have to give up a lot to land Ball, although the franchise needs to do something drastic to keep Booker happy.
#2 Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have a longstanding interest in Lonzo Ball, and they were reportedly in negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers to sign the point guard ahead of the February trade deadline. On this occasion, Los Angeles decided to keep Ball until the end of the season, and the Bulls will now have to negotiate a potential deal with the Pelicans.
The Bulls haven't been to the playoffs since 2017 and finished last season with just 22 wins. However, Chicago's roster contains plenty of young talent and they could send Kris Dunn and a number of draft picks to New Orleans in exchange for Ball.
Admittedly, the Bulls' decision to draft Coby White may have blocked the prospect of Lonzo playing at point guard, although many have speculated that the 21-year-old will eventually be moved to small forward anyway.
#1 Washington Wizards
Back in November, it was widely reported that the Washington Wizards had made every player on its roster available for trade. ESPN reported that the Wizards were even willing to trade its All-Star duo of Bradley Beal and John Wall, although both players enter the new season as members of the Washington roster.
While still keen to hit the reset button, Wall's ongoing injury troubles have made it virtually impossible for the Wizards to move his enormous deal. This leaves Beal as the man most likely to make way, and the shooting guard has so far refused to sign a new deal with the franchise.
Nevertheless, Beal's stock has never been higher following back-to-back All-Star appearances, and the Wizards will want a young talent such as Ball included in any deal. At 21, Ball would provide the Wizards with the starting piece of an ongoing long-term rebuild, while Beal's arrival in New Orleans would almost assure playoff basketball.
