A day after he went undrafted, it’s not yet known where former UCLA guard LiAngelo Ball will set up shop next. As disappointing as it might have been not to hear his name called in the 2018 NBA Draft, Ball now needs to focus on where he’ll play during the Summer League and what team he’ll ultimately sign a two-way contract with.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, that’s not going to be the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers officially informed LiAngelo Ball he will not be on their Summer League team last night. They were determined to make this a basketball decision but as one source put it, “obviously there’s more to it than basketball.” In other words— the LaVar effect was real.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 22, 2018
While Los Angeles did work the middle Ball son out during the pre-draft process, its interest in him just wasn’t there.
LiAngelo’s father, LaVar, did note that Ball will certainly play in this year’s Summer League. Whether that’s with a team like the Golden State Warriors remains to be seen. What we do know is that LiAngelo will not be suiting up with his brother, Lonzo, in Los Angeles.