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Ball 'excited' to join Pelicans

Gene Sweeney Jr. / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Lonzo Ball knew his name was being floated around in trade discussions for Anthony Davis.

So when Ball learned that he was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans, the former UCLA star was more than prepared for the news.

"I was kind of excited, honestly," Ball told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I kind of figured someone was going to get moved soon enough. I knew Anthony Davis wanted to come bad. Anytime you can get a guy like that, you are going to have to do what you have to do to get him.

"So I was kind of already just waiting for it, honestly, and I was happy to go with two guys I am comfortable with in B.I. (Brandon Ingram) and JHart (Josh Hart). I am excited to see what we can do."

California is virtually all that Ball has ever known. He was born in Anaheim, played his high school basketball at nearby Chino Hills, went to college at UCLA, and was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.

But Ball isn't upset that he's leaving home and is thankful to have been traded a couple of years into his NBA career rather than earlier on.

"I tell people when I was a rookie, I probably would have been sad," Ball said. "Just being from L.A., having my whole family here and wanting to be a Laker. But being in the league for two years, knowing it's a business, as long you get to play, that's a blessing in itself."

Ball had an up-and-down two years with the Lakers, during which he averaged 10 points, 6.4 assists, 6.2 boards, and 1.6 steals per contest across 99 appearances.

Injuries have limited Ball's ability to stay on the court and he's struggled with his shot, connecting on 38 percent of attempts from the field - including a 31.5 percent mark from distance.

However, Ball is still just 21 and has shown promise defensively with his size and wingspan.

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