Report: Lonzo Ball to work out for Lakers next week

Update:

The Lakers and Lonzo Ball have shifted the workout date to June 7 from June 9.

Updated story on @TheVertical on Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers shifting workout and meeting date to June 7. https://t.co/eVIxkOVRFl

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2017

Original Story Follows:

Now less than a month away from the 2017 NBA Draft, it’s become almost a formality to see who the Lakers will select with their second overall pick. They have been linked to UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball ever since the lottery and it’s become abundantly probable that the point guard will be staying in Los Angeles come June 22.

Nevertheless, the team is doing its due diligence in working out draft prospects both at the top of the class and later on as they currently have the 28th overall pick as well.

Ball is not exempt from those workouts. He has already informed the Boston Celtics – holders of the top pick – that he will not be working out for them, in an effort to be selected by the Lakers instead. According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, he will take another step forward in that process when he works out for LA next week:

Projected No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball will work out and meet with the Los Angeles Lakers on June 9, league sources tell @TheVertical.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2017

According to Charania, Ball will perform an individual workout rather than a group one and will meet with the front office.

With a prospect as good as Ball, who is the near-consensus second-best player in the draft, the workout will not do much to change the minds of the Lakers’ scouts and front office from a basketball perspective. However, it could be a major step in diminishing any off-court problems, namely Lonzo’s father LaVar.

LaVar Ball has been the subject of controversy for months due to his outspoken nature on all topics. He has also been under fire recently for potentially sexist comments made towards TV personality Kristin Leahy.

Most are confident that LaVar’s antics will not affect Lonzo or the team that drafts him. The Lakers’ management has made it clear that they are not worried, either. Nevertheless, there’s enough proverbial smoke to be afraid of a potential fire. Lonzo’s workout and probably interview with the team next week will go a long way in hopefully calming down that situation.