If you're the Lakers right now, you're not necessarily looking to land a superstar on the buyout market - you're looking for pieces. Guys who can fit into the rotation, fill a need, and maybe even give you a little spark down the stretch.
And while the list of available names might not get fans racing to refresh their Twitter feeds, there are still some intriguing possibilities. One of them?
A familiar face: Lonzo Ball.
Yes, that Lonzo Ball - the one the Lakers drafted No. 2 overall back in 2017, the hometown kid from UCLA who shared the floor with LeBron James during the 2018-19 season. The same Lonzo who was once billed as the future of the franchise before being shipped to New Orleans in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade.
Now, after a string of injuries and a recent trade that sent him from Cleveland to Utah - where he's expected to be waived - Ball could be on the market again. And the Lakers might want to give him a look.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about bringing back the version of Lonzo that Magic Johnson once envisioned as a franchise cornerstone. That ship has sailed. But a healthy Ball, even in a limited role, could offer something the Lakers could use - especially at the guard position.
Before injuries derailed his trajectory, Ball had carved out a reputation as a high-IQ, defensive-minded point guard who could push the pace, make the right reads, and knock down the occasional three. In Chicago, during his last full season, he averaged 7.6 points while hitting 34.4% from deep. Not eye-popping numbers, but solid enough - especially when paired with his defensive instincts and ability to guard multiple positions.
The Lakers don’t need him to be a star. They need someone who can help stabilize the second unit, bring energy on defense, and make smart decisions with the ball. Ball, even after all the setbacks, still checks those boxes - if he's healthy.
And that’s the big if. Ball’s injury history is well-documented.
Knee issues have plagued him for years, and his time in Cleveland this season didn’t exactly inspire confidence. But if Utah does waive him and he clears waivers, the Lakers could do worse than kicking the tires on a player who knows the system, knows the city, and still has something to prove.
There’s also the intangible factor - Ball remains a fan favorite in Los Angeles. That might not impact wins and losses directly, but chemistry matters, and having a guy in the locker room who’s respected and embraced by the fanbase can go a long way during the grind of a playoff push.
It’s easy to look back at the 2019 trade and say the Lakers made the right call. They landed Anthony Davis, won a championship, and Ball’s post-L.A. career has been riddled with setbacks. But none of that means a reunion can’t make sense now - under very different circumstances, with very different expectations.
If the Lakers are looking for depth, defense, and a little bit of familiarity, Lonzo Ball just might be worth a second look.