LaVar Ball declares LaMelo Ball will never play for the LA Lakers

Life after LeBron James for the LA Lakers may never involve LaMelo Ball. Despite rumors about Ball’s possible future with the Lakers going around, Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets will likely not let him go.

Besides the Hornets’ unwillingness to let the electric point guard leave, LaVar Ball, the father of the basketball superstar, will not allow that to happen. Here’s the elder Ball on the possibility of his son playing for the purple and gold franchise:

“Common sense would tell you, ‘Hell No!’ You did something to my boy Lonzo, you think I’m gonna come back with his brothers? I gotta be stone-cold crazy! I wanted Melo to be a Laker before that ship sailed.

"You get rid of Zo [Lonzo Ball], you think I’m gonna come back? Even if I wanted to come back I’m not that type of foolish guy. I don’t let you tear up something and ‘Hey, I’m coming back with more this time!’ That’s a different type of brother.”

The LA Lakers made Lonzo Ball the second overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. The then Lakers president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, drafted him over current Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum.

Ball never realized his potential while playing for the Lakers. He was part of LA’s package in the Anthony Davis trade in 2019. The Lakers reportedly didn't even tell Ball he was traded, as the point guard found out about it on Twitter.

Lonzo Ball’s career started to gain ground outside the bright lights of Hollywood. He hasn’t played a game this year due to a knee injury but has become a much better player than he was with the Lakers.

Unlike Lonzo, LaMelo Ball was already a star in his first NBA season. He averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals and won Rookie of the Year honors.

More than the numbers, it’s his ability to lead a team that’s standing out even from such a young player. He was already an All-Star last season and is playing better than before. Michael Jordan has found his franchise player.

Stranger things have happened in the NBA, but if LaVar Ball has his way, LaMelo Ball’s never playing for the LA Lakers.

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The LA Lakers’ future is murky

The LA Lakers' future could be in disarray once their Big 3 is gone.

LeBron James operates in a win-now mode, particularly as his career winds down. His contract expires along with Anthony Davis, while Russell Westbrook is playing his final year with the team.

They are currently out of the playoff picture and could make a massive push to upgrade the team before the trade deadline. If they end up giving up their two future first-round picks to become title contenders, the Lakers’ future is in big trouble.

GM Rob Pelinka is desperately holding on to the draft picks as they are the LA Lakers’ only lifeline to the future. But he’s also pressured to help maximize LeBron James’ championship window. Pelinka vowed to take care of James’ legacy, which could mean giving up on those picks to build a legit championship team.

“King James” could retire after his contract with the LA Lakers runs out or play somewhere else with his son, Bronny James. Anthony Davis may not be too far behind him when all is said and done. The Lakers could be looking at irrelevance for a decade with the way things are going.