When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted University of California, Los Angeles guard Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, it meant that his father, LaVar, would be front and center. The elder Ball, who played college basketball and had a brief pro football career, was essentially a hype man for his son, as well as the CEO of Big Baller Brand, a clothing and sneaker manufacturer.

He drew the ire of many people when he claimed that the younger Ball was a better player than Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and even said that the younger Ball was “the best player in the world.” While the 6-foot-6 guard had his moments, he failed to even come close to playing at an All-Star level, and after two years with the Lakers, they sent him to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis trade.

Now that a majority share of the Lakers is going to be sold by the Buss family to Mark Walter, the elder Ball wants his three sons — Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo — to play for the Purple and Gold and for Magic Johnson to return to the organization.

“More news!” LaVar said. “The Lakers just sold for $10 billion. Uh oh. Hey, [Los Angeles] Clippers, you better get my boys or Lakers if you put Magic back in line. Let Magic run this thing so we go get these championships, ’cause he know what to do. Magic, this for you. Since them Lakers is ran by a new group, shoot. A new time, new era. Go get the Ball boys. Hey, it’s not even about a bidding war. First come, first serve. “Whoever wants them championships, better get the Ball boys. Trust me when I tell you. But Magic, if you in line, I’m down with you, dawg. Holler at your boy.”

Johnson was the Lakers’ president of basketball operations from February 2017 to April 2019. He was a key reason the Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball in 2017, and he even visited the Ball clan in Chino Hills just prior to that year’s draft.

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He has also been involved with Walter since 2012 as part of the group that owns the Los Angeles Dodgers. Under their leadership, the Dodgers have had a tremendous amount of success, which includes two World Series championships in 2020 and 2024.

Lonzo Ball has had lots of trouble staying healthy since coming into the NBA. As a member of the Chicago Bulls, he suffered a meniscus tear in January 2022, and although he was initially expected to miss up to eight weeks, he ended up being out of action for nearly three calendar years. He ultimately underwent multiple surgical procedures as a result of the injury.

Although he returned to action on Nov. 27, 2024, he only played in 35 games afterward. For the season, he averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 22.2 minutes a game while shooting 36.6% from the field.