Lonzo Ball on LaVar's Reaction to Lakers Trade: 'We're Still Not Really Talking'

Lonzo Ball apparently isn't on the best of terms with his father, LaVar.

Andrew Joseph of USA Today's For The Win noted the New Orleans Pelicans point guard said "I don't know" when asked what his father's reaction was to the trade that sent him away from the Los Angeles Lakers on the family's Facebook reality series, Ball in the Family. "We're still not really talking."

Ball went into further details during an interview with the show's producer:

"Our relationship is not how it's been in the past. So, we're not really talking too much right now. I really don't know how he feels. But I know he wants just the best for me. He should be happy. I don't know."

The tense relationship comes as things seem to be floundering for Big Baller Brand.

Joseph noted Lonzo parted ways with the company's co-founder, Alan Foster, following an alleged embezzlement scheme and provided further details on the company's issues. It struggled to sell shoes at a surprisingly high price point, received a failing grade from the Better Business Bureau and underwent the Foster scandal.

Christian Rivas of USA Today's Lonzo Wire transcribed a particularly heated conversation between Lonzo and LaVar on a recent episode of the show that underscored the lingering tensions:

"Listen to me, son: When I come out with a name and then somebody tell me to change it, that's like me telling me to change your name. That's like people saying 'Oh, yeah, change Lonzo's name to Alfonzo on the fact that he been damaged goods for the last two years.'"

Calling one's son "damaged goods" is sure to turn heads and is not exactly supportive after Ball dealt with injuries in his first two seasons in the league. He played 52 games as a rookie and 47 games in his second season, although he showed promise when on the floor and averaged 10.0 points, 6.4 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals a night.

He is part of a young core that could provide a bright future in New Orleans alongside Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart.