Lonzo Ball Excited by New Orleans Pelicans Switch

Former Lakers guard Lonzo Ball is excited by the next challenge of his career in New Orleans with the Pelicans. 

Lonzo Ball was traded to the Pelicans along with Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart in return for Anthony Davis. 

As an LA native, leaving the Lakers was a wrench for Lonzo Ball. However, two years into his NBA career, he’s able to take a broader view of the situation.

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“I was kind of excited, honestly,” Ball told ESPN. 

“I kind of figured someone was going to get moved soon enough. Anthony Davis wanted to come bad. Anytime you can get a guy like that, you are going to have to do what you have to do to get him. So I was kind of already just waiting for it, honestly, and I was happy to go with two guys I am comfortable with in B.I. [Brandon Ingram] and JHart [Josh Hart]. I am excited to see what we can do.

“I tell people when I was a rookie, I probably would have been sad,” he said. 

“Just being from L.A., having my whole family here and wanting to be a Laker. But being in the league for two years, knowing it’s a business, as long as you get to play, that’s a blessing in itself. I’m excited to get started.”

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Despite not making it as a Laker, Ball is confident that he can still show the NBA his talent. 

“Obviously, injuries kind of messed up things a little bit,” Ball said.

“But you take the bumps with the bruises and keep moving forward. Only been in the league for two years and looking forward to this third year in New Orleans, get a fresh start and show people what I can do.

“I know New Orleans is excited to have me, and I’m excited to get started,” Ball added. “Moving to a new team, a new situation, a new organization, new coaches, new everything — it’s a refresh, getting back to playing basketball how I know I can play.”