LaVar Ball Says Lonzo a Better Fit with Lakers Because They Don't Have a Leader

LaVar Ball continues to do what he can to ensure his son winds up with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA draft.

In an interview on CSN's Celtics Talk podcast (via CSN New England's A. Sherrod Blakely), LaVar cited a lack of leadership on the Lakers as a reason Lonzo would work better in Los Angeles than with the Boston Celtics.

"Team-wise, the Lakers are a better fit," LaVar said. "They really don't have a leader. Boston already went to the playoffs. They have a leader."

Lonzo made similar comments following his official workout with the Lakers on Wednesday, per ESPN.com's Jovan Buha:

LaVar has made it no secret he wants to see Lonzo join the Lakers.

"All I said was that my boy is going to play for the Lakers, and I'm going to speak it into existence," he said in February, per ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman. "I want him to be a Laker, but I wasn't saying he's only going to play for the Lakers."

LaVar likely won't have to worry about the Celtics selecting Lonzo, since they're widely expected to take Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 overall pick. A far bigger problem is the possibility the Lakers will pass on Lonzo with the second pick.

Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding reported Lonzo "didn't blow the Lakers away or seal any deal" during his workout and meeting with team executives. Ding reported Fultz, Josh Jackson and De'Aaron Fox are all on Los Angeles' draft radar.

In his most recent mock draft, B/R's Jonathan Wasserman had the Lakers selecting Jackson and Ball going third overall to the Philadelphia 76ers.