LaVar Ball Says He Would Prefer Celtics Pass on Picking Lonzo in 2017 NBA Draft
Stop me if you've heard this before: LaVar Ball has an opinion and was given a platform to express it.
This time the controversial father of UCLA guard Lonzo Ball took to WEEI to say he hopes the Boston Celtics would pass on his son at No. 1 so he could fall to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Yes. I want him to be a Laker, but that’s my preference,” Ball said on Dale & Holley with Rich Keefe (via DJ Bean of CSN New England). “But like I’ve said, whoever picks my son, that’s fine, but that’s just my opinion. It wouldn’t be like I’m like, ‘Aw, man. He’s got to go to Boston.’ I would love him to stay in LA. That’s just me, though.”
The elder Ball's desire for his son to play in Los Angeles is far from a new story. He told ESPN.com in February that he wants Lonzo to play for the Lakers, which are his childhood favorite team and located near the Balls' Chino Hills home.
The elder Ball's desire for his son to play in Los Angeles is far from a new story. He told ESPN.com in February that he wants Lonzo to play for the Lakers, who are his favorite team from his childhood and are located near the Balls' Chino Hills home.
“It’s not about me liking them or disliking [the Celtics],” Ball said. “It’s just, we’re West Coast guys. I’d love for him to stay on the West Coast where his brothers could see him all the time, most of the time. We’re a big family. That’s the only difference, but like I said, my son will play for any team on the fact that his goal was to make it to the NBA, so it doesn’t matter what team he plays for.”
Lonzo also expressed a desire to play for the Lakers when he appeared on ESPN's First Take earlier this week.
"At the end of the day, I'll play for any team," he said. "The NBA is the NBA, but it would be a blessing to be able to play for the Lakers just because it’s in L.A., I’m from here, my whole family’s here."
Lonzo is widely expected to be a top-three pick, perhaps as high as No. 1 overall. He is head-to-head with Washington's Markelle Fultz and Kansas' Josh Jackson on most draft boards.
The Lakers already have two young guards in Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell, so it's unclear if they would even take Lonzo Ball if given the opportunity. Their need on the wing might wind up forcing them to look in Jackson's direction.
If that happens, don't be surprised if LaVar Ball has something to say.
