With the Los Angeles Lakers holding the second overall pick in this year's draft, one of the biggest scenarios hovering around the team has been the possibility of taking UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball.
However, there have been many questions surrounding what kind of impact his father, LaVar Ball, will have on Lonzo's fate in the draft. In light of that, Lakers team president Magic Johnson stated during an interview on “Afternoons with Marcellus and Kelvin” on ESPN LA 710 that he doesn't view LaVar as being a potential problem.
“I don't look at any parent when it comes to a professional league that would be a problem. I have no problem with LaVar. He’s just saying my son is great and there’s nothing bad with that. We are not looking at LaVar being a problem if we're blessed to have an opportunity to draft Lonzo. I don't know if we will have the opportunity to do that, but you have to give the father a lot of credit. For being in not just Lonzo’s life, but the other two sons as well. I’m happy that a father goes around and say great things about his son, and it seems like it hasn’t bothered Lonzo.”
Johnson had voiced a similar sentiment about the situation a few weeks ago, and just simply went in more depth with his perspective while shoveling more praise toward LaVar's parenting. This has also been echoed by general manager Rob Pelinka and only makes it clear that the Lakers don't have any issue with LaVar's actions.
All of this should leave the door wide open for Los Angeles to take Lonzo with their second overall pick if he is available at the spot. In fact, the team is expected to schedule a workout with the former UCLA star in the coming days.
Despite LaVar's continued antics, it has become quite evident that the Lakers are willing to overlook it all because of his son's talent and potential on the basketball court.