2017 NBA Draft Rumors: Lakers have not promised Lonzo Ball they’ll take him

Despite tons of rumors and speculation they’ll take Lonzo Ball second overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t about to tip their hand. Even with the Philadelphia 76ers having completed a trade with the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 pick that makes it all but a certainty Markelle Fultz will be off the table, Los Angeles has no incentive to jump the gun.

According to Shams Charania of the Vertical, they aren’t. Charania reports that the “Lakers front office and Lonzo Ball's agent, Harrison Gaines, remain in discussions, but no guarantees made yet for No. 2 pick.”

Nor should the Lakers make a guarantee. Given the Celtics’ rumored love of Kansas forward Josh Jackson, why should Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka let Danny Ainge feel like it’s a guarantee he’ll get the player he wants?

Promises typically aren’t even made to players in the top-two, or even first overall, so this is mostly not a big deal. The Lakers are still likely to take Lonzo, but it’s smarter to keep their options open should they decide to trade the pick or select a different player over the next few days.

The NBA Draft will (mercifully) take place June 22.

Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.