Bill Simmons tossed out the idea (seemed to be partially joking) that the Lakers could trade Ball to clear out the Deng. This and a Clarkson trade would give the Lakers a ton of Cap room to build a team around Lebron if he is really leaving this off-season.
As crazy as it sounds after giving it some thought I can see the logic.
I Lebron gives Magic word that he is on his way then a Ball trade makes sense. Lonzo isn't good enough for a contending team to want to deal with his father. He also is a poor fit with Lebron. Lonzo needs the ball in his hands to be effective without it he looses a ton of value on the court.
Trade idea
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y7f4a7p3Lakers trades: Lonzo Ball, Deng, Clarkson, and Randle
Lakers gets: Monroe, Belinelli, Ilyasova, Ulis, Suns 2018 1st, Minn 2019 1st (from ATL)
Suns trades: Monroe, Ullis, 2018 1st
Suns gets: Ball and Deng
ATL trades: Belinelli, Illyasova, Minn 2018 1st
ATL gets: Clarkson and Randle
Lakers, At first this looks like a terrible deal for the Lakers however it totally clears the way for Lebron to assemble his team. Its gives the Lakers a ton of cap space and two potential lottery picks in this years draft. Add that to Ingram, Kuzma and Nance and its not hard to see Lebron pulling two other stars to LA with him (cousins and george?) to take on the Warriors.
Suns, they gamble their pick on Ball and have to take on Dengs contract for a few years. In theory Ball and Booker should form a dynamic young backcourt for years to come.
ATL, they are able to broker a nice talent grab by adding 25 yr old Clarkson, 23 yr old Randle (who they would need to resign) to go along with their likely top 5 pick, Schroder (23), Collins (20), and Prince (23).