LaVar Ball calls himself a 'genius' after lottery, says Boston will draft Markelle Fultz

After the Lakers received the second pick in Tuesday night's NBA draft lottery, the chances that the team might select Lonzo Ball appeared to get a boost. LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of the UCLA point guard who has long pushed for his son to land in Los Angeles, expressed excitement about the possibility in an interview with a local CBS station following the draft lottery. 

“I told him he was going to go to the Lakers," LaVar Ball said in the interview Tuesday. "I'm going to speak it into existence. Boston going to take Markelle Fultz, he's a good player. I think he fits best with Boston. You can't bring him to L.A., he ain't ready for this." 

Although the Celtics have the first pick in June's draft and would have the first chance to take Lonzo Ball, many mock drafts including Sports Illustrated's project Boston to take Fultz first overall. Other options for the Lakers likely will include Jayson Tatum from Duke and Josh Jackson from Kansas, although LaVar Ball appeared confident in the interview that the Lakers will draft his son. 

"I know I must be a genius to plan it this well," LaVar Ball said. "His number has always been No. 2 and guess where he's going? No. 2. To the Lakers, baby."

LaVar Ball also said in an interview with Lakers Nation on Tuesday that his son, who averaged 14.6 points per, 7.6 assists and six rebounds per game as a freshman at UCLA, is only going to work out with the Lakers. 

The Lakers have not made the playoffs over their last four seasons.