A potential reunion between Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers is reportedly under consideration.

As per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Ball “is someone that’s going to be on their radar.”

“I think depending on the price, if you could get him for a second or two second [round picks], I think that’s an interesting swing,” Buha said on the “Hoops Tonight” podcast on January 18. “And also someone with that 6’6″ frame that could potentially be similar to Bruce Brown, checking a couple of boxes. He’s bulked up a little over his career, so he can guard twos and even smaller threes and potentially be part of a one-through-three switching scheme. Offensively, I think especially coming off the bench as a secondary ball-handler, playmaker, and spot-up shooter, he’s someone who’s an intriguing gamble for them.”

Ball, the Lakers’ second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, has made a successful return from a major left knee injury that sidelined him for two years.

The 27-year-old former UCLA standout is putting up modest numbers of 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Chicago Bulls during the final season of his four-year, $80 million contract.

Lonzo Ball Still Struggling with Shooting Form Though no longer the rising star he once was, Ball has faced difficulties with his shooting since returning. His 36.5% field goal shooting and 3% shooting from three are significantly lower than his career-high 42.3% shooting from both the field and three-point range in the 2021-22 season.

Ball’s representation comes from Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who also manages the careers of Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Lakers could potentially trade Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt for Ball. However, Buha pointed out that Vanderbilt holds negative value in the league due to his injury and contract length.

Buha mentioned that the Lakers would likely need to include a first-round pick to move Vanderbilt’s four-year, $48 million deal.

Jarred Vanderbilt Set to Return Vanderbilt is expected to make his season debut on Saturday, January 25, when the Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors to kick off their six-game road trip.

Shams Charania of ESPN was the first to report Vanderbilt’s return news. The Lakers forward has been out since February 1 last year, when he sustained a foot injury in Boston.

Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed Vanderbilt’s availability for Saturday’s game, provided there are no setbacks. However, Redick was unsure whether Vanderbilt would play immediately.

“He’s medically cleared and available for Saturday,” Redick said after the Lakers’ January 22 practice, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “This whole process with him is all about the long term. We’re gonna be patient. If he’s feeling good, he’ll be available but there’s no guarantee he’ll play.”

The Lakers hope to evaluate their roster with Vanderbilt’s return before making any moves, as the NBA trade deadline approaches on February 6.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis ‘Growing Concerned’ Before Vanderbilt’s return was confirmed, Charania reported on Wednesday that LeBron James and Anthony Davis were “growing concerned” about the Lakers’ ability to improve before the February 6 trade deadline.

“James, a four-time champion, and Davis, a one-time champ, have expressed that they want the franchise to make moves to contend for a championship, with the co-stars believing the Lakers are possibly one or two pieces away,” Charania wrote.

James openly criticized the Lakers’ roster construction following their 116-102 loss to the Clippers on January 19.

“Nah. That’s how our team is constructed,” James told reporters. “We don’t have room for error — for much error.”

James added that the team has no choice but to play nearly perfect basketball to secure victories.