PHOENIX SUNS

Youngmisuk: Ball camp could be trying to create leverage for Lonzo

Feb 4, 2019, 4:58 PM | Updated: 6:38 pm
Los Angeles Lakers' Lonzo Ball, left, grabs a pass next to New Orleans Pelicans' Tim Frazier during...
Los Angeles Lakers' Lonzo Ball, left, grabs a pass next to New Orleans Pelicans' Tim Frazier during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Lonzo Ball trade rumors to the Phoenix Suns were taken to a new level on Monday following a tweet by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk quoting Lonzo’s boisterous father Lavar Ball.

Youngmisuk joined 98.7 FM’s Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo show saying that the Ball camp has had success with trying to dictate Lonzo’s future.

“At this point there’s not much control the Ball camp is going to have over where Lonzo goes,” Youngmisuk said. “At least them trying to state his preference of seeing Lonzo in Phoenix, perhaps they are trying to create any leverage that they have.”

While the Ball camp’s preference would be for the 2017 No. 2 overall draft pick to stay in Los Angeles, a potential deal to bring Anthony Davis to Hollywood would likely involve Lonzo as part of the package.

Lavar Ball was very outspoken leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft in trying to persuade the Lakers into taking Ball with the No. 2 pick.

“‘Speaking it into existence,’ which was what he said in his quote. He did that a lot with Lonzo prior to the Lakers drafting Lonzo,” Youngmisuk said.

His feuds with talking heads like Stephen A. Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and even President Donald Trump have led to a reputation as a trouble maker of sorts.

“Lavar could create a stink when they get to New Orleans that would not be the Lakers problem, it would not be the Suns problem,” Youngmisuk said.

Youngmisuk pointed out that the Ball camp liked what the Suns had to offer with a primary scorer in Devin Booker and a young big man in Deandre Ayton and that Lonzo could slide is as the pass-first point guard the Suns have been looking for this season.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket past Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns collapse in 4th quarter of road loss to Thunder

The Suns were in control for most of Sunday's game against the Thunder but bad turnovers eventually caught up to them.
2 days ago
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)...
Wills Rice

Landry Shamet plays well in Suns return, loss to Thunder

The Suns collapsed late in the 124-120 loss to the Thunder on Sunday in guard Landry Shamet's return after missing 25 games to a heel injury.
2 days ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Landry Shamet #14 after scoring against the Washin...
Arizona Sports

Suns rule Deandre Ayton out, Landry Shamet probable vs. Thunder

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will not suit up Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a right hip contusion.
3 days ago
Radio broadcaster Al McCoy following the NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunde...
Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns’ 2022-23 season will be Al McCoy’s last

This Phoenix Suns season will be the last for legendary broadcaster Al McCoy as the team's play-by-play voice on Arizona Sports 98.7.
4 days ago
Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns blocks a shot by Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during t...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns hold on vs. Magic to snap 3-game losing streak

Sometimes getting that win to end a skid is like pulling teeth, and it was like that for the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
5 days ago
(Twitter Photo/@DevNa79)...
Character Counts

Suns fan gifts tickets, surprise to boy struggling with bullying

An outspoken Phoenix Suns fan provided tickets to a young boy who had dealt with bullying at school and his mother.
5 days ago
Youngmisuk: Ball camp could be trying to create leverage for Lonzo