76ers could give Lonzo Ball a reason to keep playing basketball next season

The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the most loaded rosters in the league ahead of next season, but their lineup still has room for improvement. One area they can still bolster is the playmaking department, which remains lacking, especially off the bench. On that note, one name they could zero in on is Lonzo Ball, who saw a completely dry market for his services this summer.

Ball, who played for the Cavaliers last season before getting traded, has not seen action since Cleveland. No team has even been seriously linked to him, and given his medical history, most signs point to his career in the NBA getting close to being over. However, the 76ers might just have a role tailor-made for him, one that could very well prevent him from hanging his sneakers up earlier than expected.

The 76ers could prevent Lonzo Ball from early retirement next season

Philly still has one roster spot available for taking, and while that could be earmarked for a possible midseason trade or an addition from the buyout market, the front office could also use it to lure in potential contributors from the open market like Ball, whose skill set would fit well with what the 76ers currently have in store.

The former second overall pick shot just 30.1 percent from the field and a ghastly 27.2 percent from beyond the arc last season, and while those numbers cannot possibly be defended, scoring the rock is not why teams would be enthused with Ball at this juncture. His main offering comes in two key areas –– perimeter defense and playmaking.

Ball is no longer the defensive savant he once was, but he is still a good perimeter stopper who can guard most backcourt players and even smaller wings. He remains to have a knack for getting into passing lanes and being a disruptor, something the 76ers would love to have for an emergency backcourt option.

It is playmaking, however, which needs more pressing consideration when talking about Ball. The addition of LeBron James quelled most fears about the 76ers on that end, but the bench still lacks a natural playmaker like Ball. After all, both Labaron Philon Jr. and Anfernee Simons are combo guards with a primary affinity toward scoring.

The 76ers are not exactly desperate to fill out their roster right now, but if their playmaking woes off the bench somehow become more apparent, the front office should definitely have Lonzo Ball on their radar. After all, he still has enough left in the tank for a minor role on a title aspirant.