Lonzo Ball's injury woes have been persistent, and the Lakers are wondering if his shoes had anything to do with it.
According to ESPN, Los Angeles went as far as to ask the second-year guard whether his Big Baller Brand sneakers were to blame after he suffered his third ankle injury with the team in January.
"Yeah, they talked to me," Lonzo Ball told ESPN. "They asked me about it, and I told 'em, 'I feel comfortable. If I wasn't comfortable, I wouldn't play in 'em. If I didn't play in [his signature BBB shoes], I'd play in Kobe [Bryant's signature Nike shoe]. I work out in [LeBron James' signature Nike shoe], but that's because they're heavier."
Ball added that he told the Lakers he was open to making adjustments, specifically "just minor things" to his Big Baller Brand shoes if necessary.
Ball reportedly severed ties with Big Baller Brand co-owner Alan Foster over a missing $1.5 million on Friday. He later posted a photo that featured himself wearing a Nike uniform, his No. 2 jersey hanging from the rafters in the STAPLES Center and a Nike slogan with the caption "moving on to bigger and better things."
The 21-year-old has also dealt with a shoulder ailment and underwent knee surgery last July, though he was officially shut down for the remainder of the season earlier this month.
He averaged 9.9 points and 5.4 assists per game through 47 appearances this season.
