The day after the Post reported that Lonzo Ball would have the Knicks on his radar as a restricted free agent, LaVar Ball got into the fray, saying he would like to see his son negotiated by the March 25 deadline because he doesn’t fit in New York. Orleans.
“I do not know what [the Pelicans] let’s do it. I hope he negotiated, ”said the controversial father on Los Angeles radio on Thursday. “I don’t like to see how he is playing. … he can’t stay in New Orleans. Come on man. ”
Ball said his son is getting better and better with the talent there and is not being used properly as an ace. The Pelicans have to decide whether they want to trade Ball before the deadline, with the possibility that he will receive another offer too rich for their blood in the off-season.
The Post reported in Thursday’s issues that Knicks President Leon Rose, his former agent, has Ball at the top of his list. The Knicks have no first-rate guards.
“Lonzo has always been an ace,” said the oldest Ball. “Why are you trying to turn him into a defense expert to stay in the corner and hit 3s? And you’re trying to change Zion [Williamson] and Brandon Ingram, who throughout their career have never been game creators? They are top scorers. Now do you want to put the ball in their hand? Come on man.
“[Williamson and Ingram] went to Duke and they were not game creators. So now you’re in the league, are you an ace? Go score the ball and do what you do. “
ESPN’s Bobby Marks told The Post that he did not think the Pelicans would respond to an offer of more than $ 18 million a year. Pelicans have historically been suspicious of the implications of luxury taxes and have summoned shipowner Kira Lewis to the lottery.
The Pelicans are trained by Stan Van Gundy, a close friend of Tom Thibodeau.