Lonzo Ball regrets LaVar's control in early Lakers years
Lonzo Ball says he regrets how much control his father LaVar had during his early Los Angeles Lakers tenure, telling Michael Porter Jr.'s "Curious Mike" podcast he wishes he had taken charge of his career sooner. The unsigned free agent also tied Big Baller Brand shoe pressure to early setbacks that shaped his NBA path.
Key Takeaways
- Lonzo Ball told the "Curious Mike" podcast he regrets not taking control of his career earlier, after LaVar steered key early decisions.
- Ball said LaVar "damn near" forced the Lakers' hand when they drafted him No. 2 overall in 2017 out of UCLA.
- He said Big Baller Brand shoes were not ready for games, often ripping, and family pressure made quitting them feel disloyal.
- After major knee trouble with the Bulls and stops in Cleveland and Utah, Ball remains an unsigned free agent at 28.
- Career brand and contract choices matter in NBA net worth and wealth stories as much as on-court stats.
What Did Lonzo Ball Say About LaVar and the Lakers?
According to the New York Post, Ball said LaVar had a huge influence on his landing with Los Angeles.
"I think he damn near made it to where they had to pick me," Ball said of his father's pre-draft campaign. LaVar had publicly declared Lonzo would be a Laker before the 2017 draft.
The Lakers selected the UCLA All-American second overall and passed on Jayson Tatum, who went third to Boston. Ball later became a key piece, with Brandon Ingram, in the trade that brought Anthony Davis to LA.
His two Lakers seasons were also marked by LaVar's public criticism of then-coach Luke Walton, adding off-court noise to a high-profile start.
Why Did the Big Baller Brand Shoes Matter So Much?
Ball said he was pushed to wear LaVar's Big Baller Brand shoes even though he felt they were not ready for competitive play.
"It wasn't a basketball shoe, bro. It wasn't ready to be used," he said, describing pairs that would "rip and pop out like every quarter." Manager Darren Moore kept backups in a backpack for mid-game swaps.
When Ball raised concerns, arguments followed. Skipping the shoes felt like "going against the family," he said. He suggested the footwear may have played a role in early knee injuries that became lasting setbacks.
"I guess that would be my one regret, like taking control of my career earlier," Ball added. "The way I was raised was like a blessing and a curse."
How Have Injuries Shaped Lonzo Ball's Career Since?
Ball is now a seven-year NBA veteran. Heavy.com reported that at 24, early in his Chicago Bulls run, he played 35 games and averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds before a major knee injury ended that season and cost him the next two.
He returned for 35 games in 2024-25, averaging 7.6 points, then was traded to Cleveland. On HoopsHype, Ball said injuries "definitely take some joy away" because "you can't do what you want to do," while stressing he focuses forward rather than dwelling on the past.
In Cleveland he mostly came off the bench across 35 games, averaging 4.6 points on 30.1% shooting. He said things "would have been fine" there with "an extra two shots a game." Utah acquired him at the deadline and waived him the same day, leaving the 28-year-old still seeking his next deal.