Lonzo Ball expressed frustration with the Lakers, calling their treatment of him “disrespectful” after his trade to the Bulls.

Lonzo Ball’s journey in the NBA has been filled with twists and turns, starting with his highly anticipated entry into the league as the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. As the face of the Los Angeles Lakers’ future, Lonzo was expected to be the catalyst for the franchise’s rebuilding process. However, after a series of trades and a rocky stint with the Lakers, Ball eventually found himself traded to the New Orleans Pelicans and later to the Chicago Bulls, where he has carved out a different path in his career.

Despite the time that has passed, Ball has not shied away from speaking his mind about his experience with the Lakers, particularly after his trade to the Bulls. Lonzo’s comments, often pointing out how the Lakers’ treatment of him felt “disrespectful,” have sparked conversations across the NBA community and among Lakers fans. The circumstances surrounding his departure from the Lakers and the nature of his frustration have been a central part of his narrative, one that highlights the complexities of player-team relationships in the modern NBA.

The Rise of Lonzo Ball with the Lakers

Lonzo Ball’s journey into the NBA spotlight began in earnest when the Lakers selected him with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The decision to choose Ball was a statement by the Lakers’ front office that the team was investing in the future, with Ball being touted as a potential franchise player. His all-around game, incredible basketball IQ, and elite passing ability made him an intriguing prospect. For a franchise like the Lakers, which was coming off several years of mediocrity, Ball was supposed to be the centerpiece around which the Lakers would build their resurgence.

However, from the start, the pressure was immense. Not only was Lonzo the second overall pick, but he was also the son of LaVar Ball, a loud and brash figure who was never shy about making bold predictions and statements regarding his son’s future. LaVar’s outspoken nature added a layer of complexity to Lonzo’s role with the Lakers. Media attention surrounding Lonzo and his father was constant, which added pressure to his already difficult rookie season.

On the court, Lonzo showed flashes of brilliance, particularly as a playmaker and defender. His vision and passing ability were beyond his years, and he quickly became known for his up-tempo style of play. His rookie season, however, was far from perfect. Injuries plagued his early years, and at times, Lonzo’s struggles with his shooting mechanics were exposed. His shooting form—particularly his unorthodox, jerky jump shot—was often criticized, and it became clear that he would need to improve significantly in that area to become the player the Lakers envisioned.

Nevertheless, Lonzo’s potential as a playmaking point guard was undeniable, and he was still seen as part of the Lakers’ young core. Alongside Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart, the Lakers had assembled a group of talented young players, and the future appeared bright.

The LeBron James Era Begins

In 2018, everything changed when the Lakers secured the biggest free agent signing in NBA history by acquiring LeBron James. The arrival of LeBron instantly shifted the focus of the team from a rebuilding project to championship contention. The Lakers were no longer just looking to develop young players; they were now in a win-now mode.

This shift had significant implications for Lonzo Ball. While LeBron James was undoubtedly the team’s primary focal point, the addition of James also signaled the need for a more experienced and proven roster. As LeBron began to assert his dominance on the Lakers, the young players who had once been considered the future of the franchise, including Lonzo, began to feel the weight of expectations.

Lonzo was expected to complement LeBron’s game with his passing and defense, but the pressure of playing alongside one of the greatest players in NBA history took its toll. Moreover, Lonzo’s struggles with consistency and injuries began to mount. His lack of outside shooting—an area where LeBron thrives—became a glaring weakness, particularly in the Lakers’ quest for a championship.

Despite these challenges, Lonzo remained a key part of the Lakers’ rotation in the 2018-2019 season. But as the Lakers fell short of playoff contention that year, the trade rumors surrounding the young players grew louder. The Lakers had eyes on another superstar: Anthony Davis.

The Anthony Davis Trade Saga

In the summer of 2019, the Lakers made a bold move to secure a second superstar to pair with LeBron James: Anthony Davis. The New Orleans Pelicans were open to trading Davis, and the Lakers quickly emerged as the front-runners. However, the trade would require the Lakers to part with several of their young assets, including Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, along with multiple draft picks.

As the trade talks heated up, it became clear that Lonzo Ball’s time with the Lakers was coming to an end. For Lonzo, the prospect of being traded was difficult. He had entered the NBA as the future of the Lakers, and now, just two years into his career, he was being shipped out as part of a package deal. The Lakers’ decision to trade Lonzo was, in many ways, a reflection of the franchise’s shift in priorities—from building around young players to immediately competing for a championship.

The trade to the Pelicans, which went through in July 2019, sent shockwaves through the NBA. Lonzo’s departure from the Lakers was not entirely unexpected, but the way it unfolded left him with a sense of bitterness. For all the years of hard work, for all the struggles and sacrifices, Lonzo was ultimately seen as expendable in the Lakers’ pursuit of a championship with LeBron and Davis.

Lonzo’s Frustration and “Disrespect”

In the wake of the trade, Lonzo Ball’s feelings of frustration began to surface. In several interviews and media appearances, Ball did not hold back about his feelings toward the Lakers. While he acknowledged the importance of playing with LeBron and understood the business side of the trade, Lonzo couldn’t shake the feeling that the Lakers had treated him unfairly.

“It just felt like I wasn’t given a real opportunity,” Lonzo said in one interview, reflecting on his time with the Lakers. “They didn’t really develop me the way I thought they would. I came in with high expectations, but it just didn’t feel like I was truly valued as a part of the future. It felt like they were just trying to move me for whatever reason.”

For Lonzo, the way the Lakers handled his development—and ultimately his trade—was a source of disappointment. As a young player, Lonzo had hoped that the Lakers would focus on his growth and give him the time to develop into the player they envisioned. However, with the arrival of LeBron James and the subsequent push for a championship, the focus shifted away from the young core, and Lonzo was often left to navigate the tumult of trade rumors and inconsistent playing time.

“It was a tough situation. It didn’t feel right. I’m not the first guy they’ve done that to, but it was hard for me. I gave everything I had, and it just felt like I was treated as a commodity rather than a person,” Lonzo continued. “It wasn’t just a trade—it was the way it was handled.”

The sense of disrespect Lonzo spoke of wasn’t just about being traded; it was about how his development was managed by the Lakers organization. Ball felt that, instead of being nurtured as a future leader of the team, he was used as leverage in the pursuit of more established stars. For a player like Lonzo, who had poured so much into his game and had been publicly anointed as the future of the franchise, the sudden shift was difficult to swallow.

Lonzo’s New Beginning in New Orleans and Chicago

Despite the rocky end to his tenure with the Lakers, Lonzo’s time in New Orleans offered a fresh start. In the Pelicans, Lonzo found himself in a situation where he could grow without the overwhelming expectations that came with playing for the Lakers. Under coach Alvin Gentry and later Stan Van Gundy, Lonzo developed into a more complete player, improving his shooting and continuing to be a defensive presence.

However, after two seasons with the Pelicans, Lonzo was traded again in 2021, this time to the Chicago Bulls, where he would join a young and talented roster looking to make a playoff push. In Chicago, Lonzo has found a role where his skill set—particularly his playmaking and perimeter defense—has flourished. The pressure is different, and with the Bulls, Lonzo has had the chance to truly prove himself in a system that values his strengths.

While Lonzo’s journey has been filled with ups and downs, his comments about his time with the Lakers remain a poignant reminder of the complexities of NBA life. He was a young player thrown into the spotlight, asked to carry the weight of a franchise on his shoulders, and ultimately traded as part of a larger plan for success. For Lonzo, the feelings of disrespect were tied to the way his potential was viewed—and ultimately discarded—by an organization with much bigger aspirations.

A New Chapter for Lonzo Ball

As Lonzo Ball continues to carve out his role with the Chicago Bulls, his story is one of resilience. While the Lakers’ treatment of him during his time in Los Angeles may have left a bitter taste, it has not defined his career. In fact, Lonzo’s ability to overcome adversity and continue to improve as a player is a testament to his character and determination.

His frustrations with the Lakers, while understandable, are part of the larger narrative of his development and growth in the NBA. The Lakers, after all, were just one chapter in a much bigger story. And as Lonzo continues to evolve in Chicago, there’s no doubt that his story is far from over.

The lesson for the Lakers, and for any team in the NBA, is that player development and trust are crucial. No matter how good a young player may be, if an organization fails to nurture and respect that player’s potential, it risks losing out on a talent that could flourish elsewhere. For Lonzo, his journey is a reminder that respect, development, and belief in a player’s potential are just as important as chasing immediate success.