When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the 2017 Draft, it was known that the team would have to deal with his father, LaVar Ball. There has already been issues with LaVar criticizing head coach Luke Walton, but he has been quiet recently.
At least some of that has to do with the fact that he has been with his other two sons, LiAngelo and LaMelo, in Lithuania where each plays professionally now. But as always seems to be the case, LaVar eventually makes his way into more headlines.
LaVar spoke to Lithuanian basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas and outlined his plan to have all three of his sons on the same NBA team, even saying that Lonzo would leave the Lakers for any team that would agree to have all three of his sons on the roster:
I want all three boys to play for the Lakers. But if that does not happen, I’m telling you the story what’s gonna happen first. If they don’t take Gelo this year, I bring Gelo back here (Prienani) to play with Melo for two years. Lonzo will be on his third year and I want to let every NBA team know, that Lonzo is not going to re-sign with the Lakers but will go to any team that will take all three of my boys. That’s my plan.”
This is a huge claim by LaVar and one that affects his son as well as the entire Lakers franchise. The Lakers obviously view Lonzo as the future face of the franchise, but if he is on board with this plan put out by his father that would change everything.
One area where LaVar’s plan could fall apart is the timeline however. Youngest son LaMelo Ball will be eligible to come to the NBA in 2020, following Lonzo’s third season. Rookie contracts typically last four years, assuming the team picks up their options so Lonzo would be unable to leave if the Lakers don’t want him to.
Nonetheless, the idea that a player is willing to leave would make it an easy decision for the Lakers to look to deal him before his contract is up.
In the end, these are the words of LaVar and not Lonzo, but the Lakers will definitely check in with the rookie point guard about the validity of his statements.
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