Don't Give Lonzo Ball to Lakers Just Yet; He's Perfect Fit for Sixers

So you think Lonzo Ball is going to the Lakers, right?

Search for a mock draft, and chances are Ball is going second.

You're not even picturing Ball in a Sixers uniform. You're thinking about De'Aaron Fox and Josh Jackson and Malik Monk. Maybe Jayson Tatum or Jonathan Isaac.

You've been dreaming about Markelle Fultz after a stunning trade with the Celtics that somehow involves Jahlil Okafor. 

Anybody but Ball. 

But it's not even June yet.

So for a minute, consider that maybe Ball won't remain in L.A. 

Per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, who has talked to a bunch of basketball people (i.e. executives, scouts and video coordinators), "not everyone is on the same page" and now "the Lakers have wondering eyes."

They should have wondering eyes. Especially with the No. 2 pick. There's no LeBron in this draft, so nothing is certain. Magic Johnson said he won't commit to Ball.

Per Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, the Lakers also will take "a long hard look at De'Aaron Fox too."

Why?

Because, as The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks asserts, Ball's fit with D'Angelo Russell is questionable. The Lakers' backcourt would "get killed" on D, and Russell might have to go.

Which brings us to the 76ers.

Ball's fit on the Sixers is "perfect," says Tjarks. 

The combination of Ball, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid?

"That team would be amazing," Tjarks writes.

"If I was Philly, I'd be moving heaven and earth to acquire Lonzo because he's a much better fit with the team's core than anyone it could get at No. 3."

Simmons is slated to play the point, but with Ball, would he have to? Either one of them seemingly could run the offense. Then again, maybe Ball can fill the Sixers' need for a shooting guard. Tjarks also asserts Ball "is more of a shooting guard who can stretch a defense out to 28-plus feet, grab boards, push the pace himself, and then take advantage of ball movement created by another point guard."

Or point forward.

Regardless, Sixers at times moved the ball extremely well last season, and imagine how entertaining their offense would be with Ball and Simmons on the court. 

And maybe even J.J. Redick.

Drafting Ball would give Brett Brown tremendous flexibility. Of course, LaVar could give Brown tremendous headaches.  

Ball to the Sixers? Eh, probably not.

Remember, Magic isn't worried about those headaches.