The NBA Draft 2017 is just a few weeks away and teams are already plotting out their strategies. Buzz is that famed UCLA guard Lonzo Ball will be the number two pick of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, recent reports revealed that the Lakers front office isn't convinced that the eldest of the Ball brothers is good enough for their top pick. Moreover, Philadelphia 76ers adviser Jerry Colangelo thinks the people around Ball are affecting his stock.
Lakers draft Lonzo Ball? Probably not
Early in May, Lonzo's infamous father, LaVar Ball, revealed that his son will only be working out for the Lakers and no other team.
LaVar also believes that his son is the only missing link in the team bid for a Playoff run next season.
"That's all we working out for is the Lakers," the senior Ball told Lakers Nation. "The Lakers make the playoffs as soon as my boy gets there."
However, the recent report revealed that the Lakers are having second thoughts in picking Lonzo Ball. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insider, unless the UCLA standout "blows the door off" in his workout, the Lakers' draft pick will likely be Kansas forward Josh Jackson or Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox.
"With reports surfacing that the LA Lakers and former UCLA guard Lonzo Ball have finalized the details of a workout and face to face meeting in LA next week, there is a growing sense that unless Lonzo absolutely blows the doors off, he may not be the Lakers’ guy."
Lonzo Ball to Workout with 76ers and Kings
It seems the Lonzo Ball draft stock train has been on a downhill since LaVar started talking smack about other NBA players and even Hall of Famers.
The Big Baller Brand's founder has belittled some of the biggest names in the league -- saying his son can beat two-time MVP Steph Curry and that he himself could beat the great Michael Jordan in a one-on-one match.
After proclaiming that he will only workout with the Lakers, Bleacher Report has revealed that the Ball camp is now in talks with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings.
Should Lonzo's workout with L.A. fall out, he can have these other two teams as a backup. However, 76ers adviser Jerry Colangelo also has reservations about the Ball camp. He thinks that the "people around him" are becoming a challenge for the guard. Many believe he is pointing to Lonzo's dad, LaVar.
"I think Ball is a terrific prospect and could have an outstanding NBA future.
I think it's going to be challenging with the people around him without being specific," Colangelo told Philadelphia radio station WIP 94.
This coming week will decide whether Lonzo Ball is headed for Los Angeles or elsewhere, as teams are bound to make their decision in the next two weeks. The NBA Draft 2017 date is on June 22, 2017. The Boston Celtics take the number one pick, followed by the Lakers at number two and the 76ers at three.
