Magic Johnson believes this Bulls player would’ve made Knicks a playoff team
The New York Knicks last won an NBA title in 1973, so there are a lot of ‘what ifs’ that have surrounded the franchise for years. On Monday, Magic Johnson appeared on ESPN and said that the Knicks would be a playoff-level team if they had a certain player.
Who’s that player? A 24-year-old that was drafted by the Lakers, spent time with the Pelicans, and is now with the Bulls.
In case you can’t figure it out, I’m talking about Lonzo Ball. Of course, Johnson’s biased, given that he’s the former president of basketball operations for Los Angeles. He was named to the position in February of 2017, a little over four months before the Lakers drafted Ball with the No. 2 overall pick.
After Ball was sent to New Orleans as part of the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade, his game improved. He averaged 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in the 55 games that he played for the Pelicans in 2020-21. Because of that, he signed a four-year, $85 million contract with Chicago last summer.
Although Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith vehemently disagreed with Johnson, the five-time NBA champion believes that New York would be far better off with Ball at point guard.
“Lonzo Ball would’ve made the Knicks a playoff team.” - Magic Johnson pic.twitter.com/3ysnQze8dA
— Jaden (@WashedJaden) April 4, 2022
Magic Johnson thinks the New York Knicks should’ve signed Lonzo Ball.
For years (as in two decades), the Knicks have been in search of their star point guard. Derrick Rose was leading the way this year before he injured his ankle in mid-December. Since then, Tom Thibodeau’s elected Alec Burks to fulfill the role and it hasn’t gone well.
It’d be nice to have a point guard like Ball right about now, but alas, New York had the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Not that Knicks fans need to relive this moment, but the organization drafted guard Frank Ntilikina, who’s now playing for the Mavericks.
Fans would’ve loved to have drafted Ball in place of Ntilikina, but that wasn’t possible. Instead, New York had a chance to pursue Ball in free agency this past summer, but that didn’t happen. Johnson faults the Knicks’ front office for that. He said:
“Lonzo Ball already knew how to play with Julius Randle because they played together with the Lakers. Coach Thibs stresses defense and Lonzo Ball is one of the best defensive guards in basketball.”
He went on to say that Ball could make everyone on the Knicks roster better because he’s a true pass-first point guard.
Smith, a native of the Bronx, agreed with some of Johnson’s points, but ultimately still believes at this point in the season that New York’s better off without Ball.
This year, Ball’s only played in 35 games due to a knee injury and on Tuesday it was announced that he’d be out for the rest of the year. He averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Ball shot 42.3% from the field and 3-point line. While he was linked to the Knicks last year, he’s played a role in the Bulls’ resurgence.
Maybe Johnson’s right, after all. One thing’s for sure and it’s that New York wouldn’t be worse off with Ball as its point guard, but instead the Knicks are entering yet another offseason in pursuit of their future star.
