Fansided

Lavar Ball is ‘loved’ by Lakers executives, per Lonzo Ball

By Jake Goldstein-Street

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a recent gaggle with reporters, Lonzo Ball was surprisingly upbeat about the role LaVar Ball has taken in the lead up to the NBA Draft.

According to Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum Sportsnet, the NBA Draft hopeful said the Los Angeles Lakers front office “loved” LaVar Ball.

This is a surprising change in message for Lonzo Ball. Throughout the draft process, he has constantly downplayed the influence of his father. Also, the Wednesday workout was closed to everyone, including LaVar Ball.

Lonzo Ball expects to be selected by the Lakers in the NBA Draft on June 22. Los Angeles owns the second overall pick. However, recent mock drafts have put Josh Jackson of Kansas ahead of the polarizing point guard. University of Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is expected to be the first name taken off the board by the Boston Celtics.

LaVar Ball has not held back in saying that his son will be playing for the Lakers next season. Lonzo going to the Lakers makes a lot of sense since he went to UCLA and was raised in Southern California. In fact, in May, LaVar said that Lonzo would only work out for his home town team.

During the aforementioned gaggle, the point guard was unsure of whether he would work out again for the Lakers. According to Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation, he said he’ll “leave that up to my agent.”

Next: 10 Biggest NBA Draft Mistakes of All-Time

Lonzo Ball is getting star treatment from the Lakers front office. On Tuesday night, he ate dinner with head coach Luke Walton, general manager Rob Pelinka, and resident of basketball operations Magic Johnson, according to Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sportsnet. After his workout Wednesday, he had lunch with the Buss family.

In the meeting with reporters, Ball added that the Lakers “need a leader” at the point guard position, per Jovan Buha of ESPN.

Home/NBA