LaVar Ball is trying to will Lonzo to the Lakers

By now everyone knows Lonzo Ball’s preferred destination in the draft is to go No. 2 to the Los Angeles Lakers, but if someone doesn’t, no need to worry, father Ball is here to tell us all where his son will end up.

LaVar Ball, the outspoken, loud-mouthed and polarizing father of UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, is vehemently trying to will his son to the Los Angeles Lakers. Both LaVar and Lonzo have said publically that they prefer Lonzo play for the purple and gold.

Papa Ball, however, has gone a step further in response to the Lakers securing the No.2 pick in the draft and practically guaranteed it. With a CBS station at the Ball house during the lottery and cameras rolling LaVar Ball did was he does best—talk.

When the Lakers walked away with the second overall pick, Ball was ecstatic and not only spoke about his son being destined for L.A., but seemingly tried to convince the Boston Celtics that Markelle Fultz is better suited for them.

"“I told him he was going to go to the Lakers! I’m gonna speak it into existence. Boston [is] going to take Markelle Fultz, he’s a good player. I think he fits best with Boston. You can’t bring him to L.A., he ain’t ready for this. Only one person ready for this, it’s that Ball boy. … I know I must be a genius to plan it this well. His number has always been No. 2 and guess where he’s going? No. 2. To the Lakers, baby! Here we come!”"

What LaVar is doing comes off pretty desperate, but it may actually help his cause. At the end of the day, teams want talent. They select players they think have the best set of skills to help them win.

But teams also appreciate players who want to play for them and Lonzo and LaVar have been loud and clear about what they want. Post-lottery, LaVar told Lakers Nation:

"“That’s all we working out for is the Lakers. Just the Lakers. There’s nobody else that we need to work out for.”"

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Of course if you ask Rob Pelinka, what the Ball’s are saying makes no difference to him. During  Mornings with Keyshawn, Jorge and LZ on ESPN 710, Pelinka showed no signs of sweating LaVar.

He told the radio show that the Lakers were “drafting players”, therefore, they aren’t worried about any overbearing parents.

What the Lakers are more concerned with is the actual player they will see on the court. Lonzo is still a favorite to go No.2 overall, but L.A. is taking a close look at Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and is reportedly looking forward to a head-to-head workout between Ball and Fox.

When given another on-air opportunity on Colin Cowherd’s show The Herd, LaVar said that Lonzo would accept a head-to-head workout with anybody.

"“Go ahead. He ain’t scared of nobody. You want to work em out one-on-one then you’re gonna see what really goes on. I hope the reporters and all the news is in there. De’Aaron Fox had one game for 39 points. Who else did he do that, you’re going to justify his whole career on one game against Lonzo?”"

While his LaVar’s confidence in his son is unwavering, he may be writing checks with his mouth Lonzo can’t cash. The last time Lonzo and Fox went up against each other Fox was significantly better outplaying Ball in a Sweet 16 matchup, where he scored 39 points to Ball’s 10.

And yes, just as LaVar points out, that was a one-game sample size. It just happened to be the biggest game of Lonzo’s career and he was a no-show.

Lonzo still has a lot to prove to be a lock at No.2 for the Lakers. It does him good the team is not concerned with his father’s antics and will give him a fair shot to prove he’s their guy, but if he doesn’t outperform Fox in their potential workout, all of LaVar’s insisting will do him no good.

Related Story: No.2 Pick Gives Lakers Options

Will LaVar’s insistence on “willing” Lonzo to the Lakers help Lonzo’s chances of playing for the purple and gold or will it hurt them? Is it just time for LaVar to shut up? Let us know what you think below.