LaVar Ball, the father of Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, at one point wanted his youngest son to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Nowadays, that will never happen. Lonzo Ball, LaVar’s firstborn, was selected second overall by the Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft.
However, Lonzo only played two seasons with Los Angeles. In July 2019, the Lakers traded Lonzo to the New Orleans Pelicans. Of course, he was then traded by the Pelicans to the Chicago Bulls last August. Anyway, the Lakers trading away Lonzo irked LaVar.
LaVar Ball is NOT rocking with the idea of LaMelo Ball ever joining the Lakers 😳
LINK to our full interview with LaVar: https://t.co/hYqq6WY2Sl pic.twitter.com/dp2LhkHdb9
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) December 20, 2022
According to multiple NBA betting sites, the Lakers possess the 12th-best odds to win the championship in 2023. Meanwhile, some sportsbooks show the Hornets with bottom-five odds.
“I wanted Melo to be a Laker before that ship done sailed,” replied LaVar Ball during an interview with Complex. “You get rid of ‘Zo [Lonzo Ball] and you think I’m going to come back? I’m not that type of foolish guy.”
LaVar Ball was interested in LaMelo Ball potentially playing for the Lakers prior to the Lonzo Ball trade
Lonzo’s best season with the Lakers was his rookie 2017-18 season. He made 50 starts in 52 appearances. Ball averaged 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Plus, he shot 36% from the field and 30.5% beyond the arc. He was then selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
“Common sense would tell you, hell no,” added the 55-year-old when asked if he ever had second thoughts about LaMelo playing for the Lakers. “You did something to my boy Lonzo, and you think I’m going to come back with the others? I gotta be stone-cold crazy.”
LaMelo Ball scored 16 of his 23 in the 4th quarter of the Hornets win over the Kings
23 PTS, 12 AST in 27 MINS
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 20, 2022
LaVar Ball is convinced that his three sons — including LiAngelo Ball, who is currently signed with the Greensboro Swarm of the G League, will play on the same NBA team in the near future.
Through seven starts this season, LaMelo Ball is averaging career highs of 23.1 points and 7.4 assists. He’s also logging 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting career bests of 45.7% from the floor and 40.3% from…