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Lakers Rumors: Big Baller Brand extending beyond Lonzo Ball

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 26: The sneakers of Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 26: The sneakers of Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers rumors are heading off the court, where Big Baller Brand is making some moves and potentially adding more players under their umbrella.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors are picking up with the 2017-18 regular season over. The Lakers have a very important offseason coming up as they look to take the next step in their rebuild. One of the players who are set for an important offseason is Lonzo Ball.

Ball played in only 52 games his rookie season. He dealt with a shoulder injury, left knee strain and left knee bruise. Brandon Ingram, who also missed 23 games this season, offered some advice to Ball about how to handle himself this offseason.

Improving his game will be at the top of Ball’s to-do list this offseason. He is also expecting his first child with his girlfriend, Denise. In addition to all of that, Ball has responsibilities with his family’s business venture, Big Baller Brand.

Lonzo has his own signature shoe that he has worn throughout the season. His brothers, LiAngelo and LaMelo, also wear Big Baller Brand shoes overseas in Lithuania. Towards the end of the season, another Big Baller was emerging.

Towards the end of the season, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Crawford was seen wearing a pair of ZO2 Primes. Crawford is the first non-Ball family member to wear the shoes in a professional game, and a business deal could be coming from it.

Crawford said that he wanted to support LaVar Ball and his business plan, and wouldn’t turn down an endorsement deal should one be offered.

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports, Crawford is in negotiations with the Big Baller Brand and will be sent new merchandise to wear.

"The company is expected to send Crawford new merchandise, including shoes, this week for the NBA playoffs. Crawford became the first NBA player — besides Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball — to wear the brand this season and has continued to do so in the postseason. At this point it isn’t a normal endorsement deal for Crawford, but he would sign a contract with Big Baller Brand down the line that would allow him to be under the brand yet have the freedom to pursue his own personal endeavors."

This is a big deal for both sides. Crawford, who the casual fan may not immediately recognize, gets into the spotlight. His name will be in a ton of headlines as the first player to branch out and work alongside LaVar and BBB.

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As stated by Charania, Crawford would also not be tied down to BBB. He would be under their brand’s umbrella but would be able to pursue other endeavors. From a business standpoint, for Crawford, it doesn’t get much better than that.

For BBB, this is yet another step towards legitimacy. People will still find a reason to discredit the company, but you have to start somewhere. Getting another NBA player to endorse the product is a good start.

For example, it wasn’t too long ago that Under Armour’s most recognizable athlete under their brand in the NBA was Brandon Jennings or Kent Bazemore, at the time an end of the bench player for the Golden State Warriors. Now they have multiple time MVP Stephen Curry as the face of their product.

BBB also gets the free marketing and publicity they have thrived on. Any headline or mention of Crawford will be alongside their brand name and logo.

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With the NBA Playoffs underway, there isn’t a much bigger stage for your product to be shown. Crawford hasn’t received any playing time yet this postseason, but seeing their product on nationally televised games has to make the Ball family happy, even if it isn’t Lonzo and the Lakers out there.

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