Los Angeles Lakers: Why signing LiAngelo Ball is great for everyone
By Jason Reed
LiAngelo Ball worked out with the Los Angeles Lakers and not many expect him to make the team. However, signing the second Ball brother is a great move.
Honestly, it is pretty surprising that this even got this far. After LaVar Ball pulled his son out of UCLA to play in Lithuania, LiAngelo Ball’s NBA future seemed bleak. Even before that, the second Ball brother was not considered an elite-tier prospect and would have needed several thriving years at UCLA to get on anyone’s draft big board.
Heck, even though he stole in China and sparked a feud between his father and Donald Trump, Ball still got an invitation to work out with the Los Angeles Lakers, among other teams. Of course, the Lakers are the most intriguing destination with his brother, Lonzo, currently the starting point guard.
This is the dream that his father has envisioned and preached to the media for over a year now. However, despite getting that workout, there is pessimism coming out of LA regarding LiAngelo ever joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
Per USA Today, someone close with team officials said that the team has no interest in signing Ball to an NBA or even a G League contract. Marc Stein added in on Twitter with the same sentiment.
A dribble of draft scuttle for those interested: The Lakers had LiAngelo Ball in for a well-chronicled workout this week but there is pessimism in the extreme coming out of L.A. today that the Lakers have any intentions for him … G-League or otherwise
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 30, 2018
Thus, it has become a long shot that we ever see all three Ball brothers on the Lakers, let alone two. However, while LiAngelo certainly needs to iron out his rough edges, signing him is great for all parties involved.