The Lakers aren’t afraid to draft Lonzo Ball just because of his father, Jeff Goodman of ESPN writes. Team president Magic Johnson recently told the media that LaVar Ball will have “no effect at all” on his son’s draft stock.
This Tuesday, the Lakers will have a 46.9% chance of landing a top-three pick (and thus retaining the pick) but have just a 15.6% chance of landing the first overall pick. Should they get lucky, the eldest Ball child could be the latest highly-touted prospect to don purple and gold.
To his credit, Lonzo Ball is seen by scouts as level-headed and unassuming, Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Daily News adds, suggesting that if given the opportunity, the Lakers will look to draft the UCLA product regardless of any possible complications related to his dad.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- As we wrote about earlier, a lousy reputation hasn’t exactly helped the Kings land talent. This year, however, the franchise is looking to use the combine as a way of chipping away at the “anywhere but Sacramento” mentality, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes.
- Assistant-turned-temporary head coach Mike Brown has seen his career revitalized with the Warriors and Anthony Slater of the Mercury News has all of the details of the former Cavaliers bench boss’ journey in a must-read feature.
- Put simply, David West turned down over $10MM last season, instead opting for the chance to compete for a title with the Spurs. Now with the Warriors, Daniel Brown of the Mercury News writes, West is at the doorstep of the NBA Finals.
Lonzo to the Knicks
Lonzo to the Knicks could be a disaster and a half.
They’re already a disaster. Adding young talent and moving on from Melo promotes positive culture change.
Do you actually think adding a distraction like LaVar Ball is a positive culture change?
How? The kid plays team basketball and will get Porzingis all the touches he needs plus actually run an offense properly instead of watching Rose throw himself at the basket
I can just imagine the conversations that would happen between Jackson and Lavar. I am calling it now, once Lonzo is drafted Lavars dumbass will start talking about how his son is not only going to be the greatest player to ever play(other than Lavar himself of courses) that Lonzo already is the best player to ever play even before he plays in one game. Somebody really needs to do some tests and see what really goes on in Lavars head. And try to figure out what reality he is currently living in, because obviously it isn’t the one that everyone else is living in
He’s doing all the talking for money dude, saying stuff that brings attention.
LaVar Ball would absolutely LOVE the circus that surrounds the Knicks, and selfishly I hope Lonzo Ball DOES NOT END UP IN NY!!
Solely because I am already beyond tired of seeing LaVar Ball’s face and hearing him run his mouth at any chance someone from the media will listen…Having his son in NY would be a dream come true for a male diva and glory hog like LaVar Ball…
I honestly feel sorry for his son. He seems like the complete opposite of his father, and he truly seems to be a great kid, with a high basketball IQ and an excellent head on his shoulders…
Whatever team that drafts Lonzo Ball will be getting a franchise-type player; unfortunately though, they will also be receiving a huge headache and an annoyance to society in his father…
Just imagine if Ball slips to the Knicks l. They would be so messed up. Even if he goes to the Lakers I wounded how long Lavar can take his son not winning and who he blames it on this time
Also he says he won’t stop talking until Lonzo is a Laker? Yea right, even if he becomes a Laker, all we will hear about is how good Lonzo is and how he is now gone from being better than Curry to being better than Bryant. I would at least understand Lavar if Lonzo was already a star in the NBA but he isn’t and I can’t wait to hear his excuses about why Lonzo isn’t good if he turns into a bust and why it isn’t Lonzos fault and it obviously has to do with every single person in the organization except for his son.
Also I wonder if Lonzo does become a bust if he sticks with him and try’s to defend him and say why it isn’t his son that is bad it is the people around him, or if he then just moves on to the next son and starts hyping him up. I could totally see Lavar doing something like that, realizing that this son won’t be making any money for him so it is time to move on to the next one.
Sacramento wants to change it imagine at an event with no meaning? More dysfunction from one of the worst managed franchises in sports. It takes time to change your image and it starts at the top.