Los Angeles Lakers: 3 goals for Lonzo Ball in 2018-19

3. Stay healthy

Last season, Ball played in a total of 52 games. That means he missed 30 games, all likely due to injury. Those injuries came at the most inconvenient of times, often killing much of the momentum the Lakers had built up — especially after the All-Star break.

Although the presence of James and Rajon Rondo makes his availability not as important to Los Angeles’ success in 2018-19, the Lakers certainly want him on the court as often as possible. The kid is a rising star who has the passing and defensive skills to emerge as one of the NBA’s best young point guards by season’s end.

That’s why it’s critical for him to stay healthy this upcoming campaign.

In doing so, he’ll have a better chance of reaching his full potential. Every minute spent on the court with the Lakers young core and group of wily veterans is another minute of potential growth. On top of that, it’ll obviously be beneficial for Los Angeles and its ability to contend in 2018-19.

Ball has the potential to be an elite NBA facilitator. He may not be a superior scorer or shooter, but his passing and defensive talents are on a different level for a player so young. If he can stay on the floor for a larger chunk of the Lakers’ upcoming campaign, Ball should be able to take his career to the next level.