Lonzo Ball is reportedly on the trading block.
The Phoenix Suns need a point guard.
Lonzo's father has a way of getting what he wants.
All of these factors suggest things could soon get very interesting for the Suns as the trade deadline fast approaches.
Ball, a second-year point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, is reportedly on the table in a possible trade involving the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans that would bring star center Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. But it's possible that a third team will enter any deal involving the Lakers and Pelicans -- and it's possible the Suns could be that team.
On Monday, LaVar Ball, Lonzo's outspoken father and the founder of Big Baller Brand, said he'd rather see Lonzo moved to Phoenix instead of New Orleans.
"We want to be in L.A. But if he's traded, I don't want Lonzo in New Orleans. Phoenix is the best fit for him. And I am going to speak it into existence," LaVar Ball told ESPN.
Adding fuel to the speculation that Lonzo Ball could ultimately end up in Phoenix is this somewhat vague tweet from NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday afternoon.
Right on time https://t.co/uVguKW4ji4
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019
After finishing the 2017-18 season with the NBA's worst record, the Suns are once again in last place in the Western Conference and are almost certainly a lock to miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. They have been in dire need of a point guard ever since they traded Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets in the offseason.
The 21-year-old Ball was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He is averaging 9.9 points, 5.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 47 games this season.
ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reported that Ball "wants to remain a Laker," but "if Ball is going to be traded, LaVar Ball would rather see his son run point in Phoenix, where the Suns have been playing shooting guard Devin Booker at point guard. New Orleans has Jrue Holiday at point guard."
If a deal is going to be made, it's going to have to happen soon: The NBA trade deadline is 1 p.m. Arizona time Thursday.
