The Los Angeles Lakers have gone 4-14 since starting the season a relatively respectable 8-13, shifting focus from another lost year to what will happen to the team in free agency this summer, and whether the new front office will be able to sign players like LeBron James and Paul George during the offseason.
Recently most of that speculation has turned to George’s intentions because he and the Oklahoma City Thunder were visiting Los Angeles, but there have also been scattered reports about whether James will don the purple and gold armor next season.
The most recent of which painted the Lakers signing James as ‘a long shot’. Of course, until James signs, it’s difficult to truly gauge what his intentions may be.
But LaVar Ball maintains he has a theory on what James will do, and that’s sign with the Lakers, according to Jeff Goodman of ESPN:
Lavar Ball also said he is confident that LeBron James, whom he has never met, will be coming to the Lakers this offseason as a free agent.
“LeBron’s coming to L.A. I know he’s coming to L.A.,” Ball said. “LeBron is not a fool. What’s the only way he can beat Jordan? You can’t get more championships. Only one way, to say every team I’ve gone to I’ve won a championship. Go to Lakers and win a championship, then you’re better than Jordan.
“You can’t give my son the best player in the league, and don’t expect them not to win. Get rid of everybody. Give him LeBron and Gelo [LiAngelo Ball]. You got a 2 and a 3. And it’s a win. It’s a wrap. Then all you need are two rebounders — [Julius] Randle and [Larry] Nance Jr.”
Ball’s confidence that James will sign with the Lakers notwithstanding, there are real reasons to doubt he will be making a new kingdom on the West coast.
For one, the Lakers’ record has been terrible, and while James would make it a lot better, there is reason to doubt that even he and a super friend like George could fix all of the Lakers’ problems.
Still, with Ball one can never say never, because he hasn’t really been wrong yet. However, all signs are pointing toward the eldest member of the Ball family not being able to speak this pipe dream into existence.
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