With Friday's news that LeBron James is opting out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and potentially one step closer to signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, some people are suggesting the timing of the announcement that Lakers young star Lonzo Ball has a torn meniscus, but will be ready for the start of next season's training camp, is interesting, to say the least.
Ball was often rumored to be part of a trade that would see the Lakers ship him as part of a package to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, who could, in turn, help draw LeBron closer to LA and the Lakers. Despite the fact speculation exists the Spurs are not interested in Lonzo Ball, it didn't stop his name from coming up in trade. So, while a trade could still happen, and an injury doesn't make it impossible to send Lonzo out of town, when you couple the fact the Spurs don't necessarily want Ball and the media announcement that he's injured, it makes the likelihood that Ball is part of any deal out of LA even less possible; a convenient reality for a few parties involved.
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The question is, where did the news come from and who leaked it with such impeccable timing?
LaVar Ball— Lonzo's dad— may or may not be responsible for ensuring everyone knows Lonzo is hurt. If he is, it wouldn't surprise people as LaVar has a way to boisterously getting to his end goal. It's widely assumed he does not want Lonzo traded out of LA, and if LeBron were to make his way to the Lakers and Leonard part of that dream team, Lonzo would find himself in an ideal situation.
But, to be fair, this injury isn't actually new news. It was revealed a while back Lonzo was suffering from an ailment. We suppose what's got people's attention, is the fact it's being so openly talked about mere hours before a potential trade that could include Lonzo out of LA.