June 7, 2017
Lonzo Ball worked out for the Lakers on Wednesday morning at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo. The workout involved only Ball and no other prospects. It was held in front of Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka, Luke Walton, and other Laker front office executives.
Afterward, Ball was greeted to a swarm of media members, who bombarded him with 8 minutes of questions. The former UCLA and Chino Hills High School point guard re-iterated his desire to play for the Lakers.
“Of course,” he said. “It’s home.” However, Ball did indicate that he would play for any team if the Lakers did not select him with the #2 pick in the draft later this month.
“I’ll go to any team and just do what I do,” Ball said. “Play basketball.”
Despite recent speculation that the Lakers have interest in Kansas’ forward Josh Jackson or Kentucky guard De’Aaron, multiple NBA sources indicated that Ball is still the favorite to be selected by the Lakers with their #2 pick.
Ball spent Tuesday evening dining with Johnson and other members of the Laker brass. After his workout, he was scheduled to have lunch with the Buss family on Wednesday afternoon.
Ball was also not accompanied by his father Lavar, who has made headlines recently with the media. When asked about his father, Lonzo explained that there is nothing to be concerned about.
“They said they love him. That’s about it.” He went on to say that this isn’t unfamiliar territory for him either.
“They said that about me in high school, they said that about me in college,” Ball said. “I don’t think it will affect me.”
The 6-foot-6 point guard averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds in his lone season with the Bruins, while leading them into the Sweet 16 against Kentucky.
“They need a leader,” Ball said when asked why the Lakers should draft him. “They need a point guard. I feel like I can fill that hole.”
Members of the Laker front office will travel to Sacramento on Thursday to watch Jackson workout for them. A workout with Fox is schedule for next week.