For the first time since being traded from the franchise in June, the former Baby Lakers in Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball will return to meet the Lakers in Staples Center on Friday. During shootaround on Friday morning, Ingram spoke about matching up with the Lakers.
“It brings back some good memories. That’s the team that drafted me, made my dreams come true. I remember my draft class and every player that came through here. It was some enjoyable times.”
Hart also looked back fondly on his time in Los Angeles while also wondering what could have been last season.
“We had a lot of fun. I think a lot of guys wonder if we didn’t have the injuries last year (during Los Angeles’ first season with LeBron James), what we could’ve done. But it’s always love with the (former Lakers players) and L.A. It was so much fun, the two years I had here. Those times are behind me, so I’ve got to look forward. But it was a great time.”
Injuries ravaged the Lakers last year, leading to a disappointing finish that included a failure to make the playoffs. The trio of young prospects were dealt not many months later for Anthony Davis and, along with LeBron James, the Lakers sit atop the Western Conference.
The trade, though, also worked out for the New Orleans-based former Lakers. Ingram is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 25.3 points per game this season. Now healthy, Ball has flourished, highlighted by a triple-double in his latest outing. Hart is also averaging a career-high in points at 10.9 per game while seeing a rise in his three-point shooting from last season.
It’s a deal that worked out for all parties (at least so far) and it’s nice to see no animosity held between the players and their former franchise.