LAKERS

LaVar Ball: Lonzo Ball will only work out for Lakers

Scott Gleeson
USA TODAY Sports

LaVar Ball is at it again.

UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) guards Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the 2016-17 college basketball season.

Following an NBA draft lottery night that saw the ping pong balls give the Los Angeles Lakers the No. 2 pick, the father of projected top-three pick Lonzo Ball — already blunt beforehand in where he wants his son to play — doesn't plan to give any other team besides the hometown Lakers a chance.

"That's all we working out for is the Lakers," LaVar Ball told Lakers Nation. "Just the Lakers. There's nobody else that we need to work out for."

LaVar, who raised his three boys in Chino Hills, Calif., and has created the Big Baller Brand — which most notably features $495 shoes for Lonzo — also didn't mince words in his belief that Lonzo can help immediately. He expects his son to resuscitate the storied franchise from an unprecedented four consecutive losing, playoff-less seasons.

"The Lakers make the playoffs as soon as my boy gets there," LaVar said.

The Ball family might only be interested in one team, but the Lakers will examine a handful of prospects to make sure they get it right at No. 2.

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Los Angeles general manager Rob Pelinka said at the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night that the Lakers are "sitting in a fantastic position" and that there are "four, five guys that are well-suited to be (drafted)."

Nevertheless, LaVar is supremely confident (or certain) Lonzo will be wearing a Lakers hat on June 22.

"There's no doubt in my mind whatsoever," LaVar said. "I'm going to say it again, in English, speak it into existence. In Spanish, speak it into existence. In Africa, speak that (expletive) into existence."

Lakers president Magic Johnson previously said he didn't anticipate LaVar's outlandish comments about his son to affect the selection process. Pelinka reiterated that point on Tuesday night as well.

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