With the Los Angeles Lakers awarded the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, LaVar Ball can add another bullet point to his long list of claims. The father of Lonzo Ball might be a clairvoyant.
“I told him he was going to go to the Lakers. I was going to speak it into existence,” LaVar told a CBS station in LA after watching the draft lottery Tuesday night.
The Boston Celtics were awarded the No. 1 pick in the draft, followed by the Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. Markelle Fultz is projected to be the top pick, with fellow point guard Ball going second in most mock drafts, thus increasing the likelihood he lands with his hometown Lakers.
The Celtics could trade their pick, given that they have a star point guard in Isaiah Thomas, but the senior Ball thinks otherwise.
“Boston’s going to take Markelle Fultz,” he said. “He’s a good player. He fits best with Boston. You can’t bring him to LA. He ain’t ready for this. Only one person ready for this. That Ball boy.”
LaVar has been outspoken over the past several months, promoting Lonzo and his two younger brothers LiAngelo and LaMelo, who also have their sights set on eventually making it to the NBA. LaVar has instigated fights with LeBron James and Charles Barkley, among others, and failed to secure an endorsement deal for his eldest son with one of the Big Three apparel brands.
He now has his sights on the June 22 draft.
“I know I must be a genius to plan it this well,” LaVar said. “[Lonzo’s] number has always been No. 2 and guess where he’s going? No. 2 to the Lakers, baby. Here we come.”
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