Lonzo Ball Revisits Anthony Davis Trade Before Admitting: “They Still Got the Ring”

Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has reignited discussion around one of the most defining trades in recent franchise history — the blockbuster deal that sent him, Brandon Ingram and others to New Orleans in exchange for Anthony Davis back in 2019.

The topic surfaced on the latest episode of the Ball in the Family Podcast, where Lonzo offered a candid — and somewhat controversial — take on how he felt the Lakers might have approached the situation.

🎙️ “Unpopular opinion… but I think they should’ve kept the picks.”

Reflecting on the trade, Ball suggested the team could have shown more patience with its young core instead of pushing for an immediate superstar pairing.

“Unpopular opinion probably, but I feel like I could have played with D’Angelo Russell. I think they should’ve maybe just kept all those picks and seen how it went. But, I mean… they still got the ring, so it worked out for them.”

His comments quickly caught attention — especially since Davis’ arrival led directly to a championship in his very first season alongside LeBron James, even if it came inside the Orlando Bubble.

🟣 The Trade That Changed Everything

The 2019 AD deal reshaped the NBA landscape:

• Lakers received: Anthony Davis
• Pelicans received: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple first-round picks

The result?

A 2020 NBA title, delivered by the duo of LeBron and AD — validation for Los Angeles, even if the roster's young potential was never fully realized.

🔄 Lonzo’s Journey Since Leaving LA

Ball’s career has taken several turns since the trade. After stints in New Orleans and Chicago, he’s now a reliable backup point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, working his way back from multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are attempting to build another championship roster around LeBron James and Luka Dončić, following last year’s blockbuster that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas.

🤔 What Could’ve Been?

There’s no denying the talent of Lonzo and Brandon Ingram, both of whom blossomed after leaving Los Angeles. Ball’s comments highlight a classic NBA “what if?” scenario:

How far could that young core have gone if the Lakers never made the AD trade?

Still, championships are the ultimate currency — and the Lakers cashed in.

📅 Circle the Date: Lakers vs. Cavaliers

Lonzo will see his old team soon enough:

January 28th in Cleveland, a matchup he admits is always meaningful.

⭐ The Bottom Line

Ball’s “unpopular opinion” sparked conversation — but he said it himself:

The Lakers made the trade, won the title, and history won’t rewrite itself.