It didn’t take LaVar Ball long to share his thoughts on the Anthony Davis trade.
The New Orleans Pelicans traded Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks. LaVar was at a Drew League game on Saturday when the news broke that his son Lonzo was joining the Pelicans. LaVar specifically said in February that he didn’t want Lonzo to land in New Orleans.
“It will be the worst move the Lakers ever did in their life and they will never win another championship. Guarantee it,” Ball said, via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk on Saturday. “I don’t regret. I’m going to have fun with it, because I told you it was crashing down. Now it completely crashed, but at least my son got off the boat before the thing exploded.”
LaVar never seemed to like the idea of the Lakers acquiring Davis, probably because those trade rumors inspired reports that L.A. might also get rid of Lonzo in the process. LaVar has said, however, that he wanted speak a Phoenix Suns trade into existence for Lonzo. That didn’t happen. And LaVar has slightly changed his tune.
“I don’t care where Lonzo plays,” Ball said Saturday, via ESPN. “Like I said, I just want him to be healthy, and I want him to play. It’s better you can go somewhere and just play and do your thing and be that guy instead of having all those question marks behind you.”
The questions will be different in New Orleans, including the mystery of what the Pelicans will do with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. There’s no doubt about what they’ll do with No. 1 overall. Duke star Zion Williamson is a lock for that selection — he’ll soon be Lonzo’s teammate.
LaVar was asked what he thinks about Lonzo playing with Williamson.
“Lonzo works good with anybody so it’s not a big deal,” Ball said on the sideline of a Drew League game, via Instagram account SleepersAllDay.
The Davis trade is, of course, a huge deal despite LaVar’s efforts to downplay it. But it will be up to Lonzo to make sure he ends up being a big part of that deal, if he shines in New Orleans.
