LaVar Ball Trolls Cavs for Lonzo Trade in Video After Blowout Loss to Knicks in NBA ECF Sweep

After getting swept out of the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks on Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers found themselves on the receiving end of some criticism from LaVar Ball.

The father of NBA guards Lonzo and LaMelo Ball sounded off about Cleveland's quick exit in the ECF and expressed his belief that the Cavs' decision to part ways with Lonzo contributed to their loss:

"Just finished watching the Knicks and Cleveland game. Man, nothing more satisfying," LaVar said. "They got my son Lonzo for this exact moment. Y'all didn't get him for the season, you got him for this right here and look how you get blown out cuz you don't have no easy transitional buckets. That's what Lonzo do--fast-break points and defense. And what did y'all lose on? Fast-break points and defense and no intensity cuz no leadership. That's what Lonzo does."

Last summer, the Cavaliers acquired Lonzo Ball in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, but after appearing in just 35 games for the team, Ball was traded to the Utah Jazz in February and immediately waived.

Originally selected second overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Ball has never established himself as the star many expected him to be.

Ball missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to injury, and he has not played in more than 35 games in a single season since the 2020-21 campaign.

While Ball has shown an ability to contribute as a playmaker, three-point shooter and defender when healthy, he largely struggled this season with the Cavs, averaging 4.6 points per game on 30.1 percent shooting from the field and 27.2 percent from beyond the arc to go along with 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals.

Lonzo did not catch on elsewhere following the trade to Utah, but LaVar called for the Charlotte Hornets to potentially unite Lonzo and LaMelo, saying, "Charlotte, go get them boys. Trust me."

LaMelo has played for the Hornets ever since they selected him third overall in the 2020 NBA draft, and he is signed through the 2028-29 season.

Charlotte has yet to reach the playoffs during LaMelo's tenure, but thanks in large part to the arrival and great play of 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up Kon Knueppel, the Hornets got close this season with a 44-38 record.

The Hornets are seemingly a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference, so they could potentially benefit from some veteran depth off the bench in the form of Lonzo.