San Antonio Spurs: LaVar Ball scoffs at Kawhi Leonard for Lonzo Ball trade

By Rob Wolkenbrod | May 21, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The outspoken LaVar Ball scoffed at the idea of a Kawhi Leonard-for-Lonzo Ball trade between the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been speculated as a fit for San Antonio Spurs star, Kawhi Leonard. With ties to Southern California and a recent appearance at a Los Angeles Dodgers game, chatting with Magic Johnson, who’s also a Lakers executive.

There’s potentially fuel to the fire, and with the Lakers apparently open for business on all of their players, it creates for options if these teams meet for trade discussions.

Lonzo Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, would be among the players in the open-for-business situation. If he were to join a Leonard trade, there’s one person who would not like it: his outspoken father, LaVar, who recently spoke to ESPN Radio on it (h/t Lakers Nation):

“Stop it. I’m gonna tell you why. You know what Lonzo is to me? Gelo is my pretty boy. [LaMelo] is my wow boy. But Zo is the people’s choice. They won’t let it happen. How’s that? You can’t get rid of Zo! He’s the people’s choice! Everybody on the outside can say what they want, but when you put it down on paper, the Ball boys are good for business.”

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Hardly a surprise, as LaVar dreamt of Lonzo on the Lakers before the 2017 draft, as this was the only team he worked out for last year. Add that the Ball family is from Southern California, and it may add up LaVar’s comments.

LaVar did not stop at Lonzo, though, with mentions of LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball, his other two sons. LiAngelo was not invited to the NBA Combine, but received an opportunity to show up at the Professional Basketball Combine. LaMelo is still years away from the draft process due to his age.

As for a Leonard-Ball trade, there’s no word on what the Spurs would want for their star if it ever gets to that point. That goes for interest in Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram or other young assets from the Lakers. However, frankly, if Johnson and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka can pry San Antonio’s would-be face of the franchise away, it might not matter what LaVar has to say.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: After the lottery

What would you think of a Ball for Leonard trade? Do other pieces need to join the deal to make it happen?

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