From Hope to Hurdles: How Unforeseen Setbacks Derailed Lonzo Ball’s Lakers Journey and Forced a Franchise Reset

Lonzo Ball arrived in Los Angeles not just as a promising point guard but as a symbol of hope. Drafted second overall by the Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft, he was expected to ignite a new era for the storied franchise. The team had been stuck in mediocrity for several seasons, searching for a new face to build around after the retirement of Kobe Bryant. Lonzo brought with him not only talent but also a considerable spotlight, thanks in part to his standout performances at UCLA and the relentless promotion from his father, LaVar Ball. The Lakers believed they had found a transcendent playmaker who could restore Showtime and bring the franchise back to relevance. However, what followed was a journey marred by injuries, inconsistencies, and a rapid shift in organizational priorities that ultimately left Ball as a footnote in the Lakers’ rebuild rather than its centerpiece.

Lonzo’s rookie season was filled with high expectations and intense scrutiny. He showed flashes of brilliance with his court vision and passing ability, even recording multiple triple-doubles, a feat few rookies have accomplished. But while he had a flair for dazzling assists and pushing the pace, his shooting woes were glaring. His unorthodox shooting form translated poorly to the NBA level, leading to low percentages and limited offensive impact in half-court sets. Even more concerning were the injuries. A sprained shoulder and later a knee injury sidelined him for significant chunks of the season, preventing any real rhythm or sustained momentum. Still, the Lakers remained cautiously optimistic. At 6’6” with defensive upside and natural instincts, Ball still looked like a unique prospect worth developing.

The 2018-2019 season was supposed to be the turning point. The Lakers had landed LeBron James in free agency, and the narrative shifted from a slow rebuild to a push for immediate contention. With LeBron now at the helm, Lonzo was envisioned as the ideal backcourt partner—unselfish, defensively capable, and willing to defer to the superstar forward. Early on, the pairing showed some promise, especially on the defensive end where Ball’s ability to guard multiple positions stood out. But once again, the injury bug struck. Lonzo suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain midway through the season and never returned. By the time the season ended, the Lakers had missed the playoffs, and the front office was facing mounting pressure to shake things up.

What followed was the blockbuster trade that defined the franchise’s direction. In the summer of 2019, the Lakers packaged Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and a haul of draft picks to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis. The move was seismic. It signaled the Lakers’ full commitment to winning now, anchoring their hopes on the LeBron-Davis tandem. For Lonzo, it was a gut punch but also a chance for a fresh start. While the deal paid off for Los Angeles—culminating in an NBA Championship in the 2020 Orlando Bubble—it closed the chapter on the Lonzo experiment, an ambitious endeavor that had fallen victim to bad luck, ill-timed injuries, and an organization too impatient to wait.

Even outside Los Angeles, Lonzo’s career continued to be haunted by injuries and inconsistency. In New Orleans, he showed improvement, particularly in his three-point shooting, which had been a glaring weakness. He reworked his form and became a more reliable scorer while maintaining his playmaking and defensive edge. However, his impact was often overshadowed by the emergence of Zion Williamson and the struggles of the Pelicans to find team success. After two seasons in New Orleans, Ball signed with the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal that looked promising on paper. He was supposed to be the stabilizing force in a dynamic backcourt featuring Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

But again, setbacks followed. In January 2022, Lonzo suffered a knee injury that would derail not just his season but potentially his entire career. Multiple surgeries, including a cartilage transplant procedure—a rarity in basketball—cast serious doubts on his future in the league. He missed the entire 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, and despite hopeful updates, his return remained uncertain. For a player once projected to be the face of the Lakers’ revival, his story had taken a tragic turn. The skills were still there, the vision, the defensive IQ—but the body just couldn’t hold up.

For the Lakers, the Lonzo Ball saga became a learning moment. The franchise had swung big, marketed him aggressively, and saw the potential for a homegrown star. But the brutal reality of the NBA is that potential is often thwarted by circumstances beyond control. Injuries, organizational shifts, and the relentless pressure to win can alter even the best-laid plans. When the opportunity arose to land Anthony Davis, the Lakers didn’t hesitate. They cashed in on their young core, including Lonzo, and it paid immediate dividends. It’s easy to say in hindsight that they made the right call, but at the time, parting with Lonzo was not without internal conflict.

In many ways, Lonzo was a victim of timing. Had the Lakers remained committed to a long-term rebuild, perhaps he would’ve had the room to develop at his own pace, to ride through the shooting slumps and injury rehab without the weight of championship expectations. But the lure of LeBron changed everything. The moment the King signed in L.A., the clock started ticking. Player development took a backseat to acquiring proven stars, and Ball, through no fault of his own, was left behind.

The media circus surrounding Lonzo didn’t help either. From the moment he entered the league, he was under a microscope. Every misstep was analyzed, every shooting slump exaggerated. His father, LaVar Ball, added fuel to the fire with constant media appearances and bold proclamations that often overshadowed his son’s quiet, team-first demeanor. Lonzo, for his part, handled the scrutiny with maturity. He rarely responded to criticism and always prioritized his team. But it’s hard to imagine the constant spotlight didn’t take its toll. Being a Laker comes with pressure. Being the Laker expected to lead a revival? That’s a weight few rookies are ready for.

Today, Lonzo Ball’s name is often brought up in conversations about “what could have been.” His highlight reels remain tantalizing—a glimpse into a unique talent with a mind for the game that few possess. His story is not yet over. He has stated publicly that he intends to return, that he’s rehabbing and determined to play again. The NBA world waits and hopes because basketball is better with a healthy Lonzo Ball. But even if he never suits up again, his impact—while short-lived—offered moments of brilliance and a reminder of how fragile a career can be in professional sports.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have moved on. They won a title and continue to reload around their veteran core. But the Lonzo era remains a curious footnote—a time when hope briefly flickered before being extinguished by forces no one could fully control. It’s a testament to how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA, how yesterday’s franchise savior can become today’s trade asset. Lonzo Ball may not have rejuvenated the Lakers as once envisioned, but his journey remains one of the most compelling narratives in recent team history—a story of promise, pressure, and perseverance that still resonates with fans who saw in him a glimpse of what could have been.