LaVar Ball Says He Has No Relationship with LeBron James

The father of Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball, LaVar Ball, told TMZ Sports that he doesn't have a relationship with superstar LeBron James.

"I really don't have a relationship with LeBron," he said. "I like it. He ain't done nothing bad to me; I ain't done nothing bad to him. So, as long as we good, we'll be all right."

LaVar also noted that Luke Walton's job security might somehow be related to how often he plays Lonzo.

"If he keep playing Lonzo a lot—over 35 minutes—he'll stick around," Ball said. "Less, he won't."

The second-year point guard is currently averaging 27 minutes per game, posting 8.0 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game and 4.5 assists per game. After playing 34.2 minutes per game as a rookie, Ball has seen his minutes take a hit this season, with players like James and veteran point guard Rajon Rondo capable of handling playmaking duties as well. 

It seems more likely that Walton's job status will have more to do with James' and Magic Johnson's opinion of how he's faring as a head coach than Ball's minutes. The 2018-19 season is, in essence, a training ground for a number of Lakers.

Are Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, for instance, the right young fits with James? Or would they be better suited being packaged in a deal for a star sidekick? Is Walton the right head coach? Will the team's current core, including James, be impressive enough for prospective superstar free agents this upcoming summer? Can this group as currently constructed make the playoffs this season or in the future?

So far, things have gone fairly well in LA, with the team starting 13-9. There have been hiccups, but that's to be expected given the massive roster overhaul this offseason. But for the Lakers, this upcoming summer—when players like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and Kemba Walker can all become free agents, among others—has always been more important than this season.

In other words, how the Lakers fare in free agency will be far more important than whether LaVar Ball has a relationship with James or how many minutes his son is playing.