Given the uncertainty of Kawhi Leonard's relationship with the Spurs, trade rumors will likely swirl around San Antonio all offseason. One of the most common destinations that has popped up in these conversations is Los Angeles—for both the Clippers and Lakers. Leonard is from L.A., and both teams have the resources to potentially pull off a trade.
LaVar Ball, for what it's worth, doesn't see Kawhi coming to the Lakers—at least in a trade that involves his son, Lonzo. LaVar believes the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft is better than Kawhi, per his recent appearance on ESPN Radio with Marcellus Riley and Travis Rodgers.
“Stop it! Hell no," Lavar responded when he was asked whether he thinks Kawhi is better than Lonzo. "Lonzo, I'm gonna tell you what he does, makes everyone on the team better. Who don't want to start a team with that? You put Kawhi on there, he won't make everyone better. He's gonna do his thing. He's a specialty guy."
LaVar believes having his son on a team's roster is good for its bottom line. "I'm gonna tell you why [that won't happen]," Ball said. "You know what Lonzo is to me? [LiAngelo] is my pretty boy. This [LaMelo] is my "wow" boy. But Zo is the people's choice. They won't let it happen. You can't get rid of Zo! He's the people's choice. Everybody on the outside can say what they want, but when you put it down on paper, the Ball boys are good for business."
LaVar also expressed his belief that LeBron James will sign with the Lakers.
Lonzo averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game in his rookie campaign. Kawhi has one year left on his contract. LeBron could opt out of his deal this offseason.
