LeBron, Ball not a good mix in Los Angeles

There is no doubt LeBron James likes being a big fish in a small pond. James is a blue whale in a bathtub in northeast Ohio. (I know a whale is a mammal, but you get the idea). That could change when he becomes a free agent on July 1, assuming he opts out of his contract with the Cavaliers by June 29.

James would not be the unofficial mayor of Los Angeles, the way he is in Cleveland, if he ends up joining the super team the Lakers are trying to form. Plus, he would have put up with Lavar Ball, that narcissistic father of Lakers second-year player Lonzo Ball if James and Lonzo Ball become teammates.

I just can’t see James and Lavar Ball existing in the same city, let alone in the same arena.

Here, according to the Washington Post, is an example what the outrageous Ball, a glorified shoe peddler, said referring to a stroke his wife suffered:

“As long as she can smile, give a kiss and a hug,” he says, “I’m good. That’s probably why she had the stroke — so she can be quiet for a minute.”

Lavar Ball constantly undermined Lakers’ coach Luke Walton last year to the point where Golden State coach Steve Kerr called out the media for making Ball relevant.

According to an ESPN report, James would like the Lakers to acquire another megastar before he would sign with them. Kawhi Leonard would be at the to of that list of possibilities, but he is under contract to the San Antonio Spurs and would have to be acquired in a trade.

The Spurs are not eager to trade Leonard to another Western Conference team, especially one that would become an instant contender if the Lakers added James and possibly Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers would probably have to overpay San Antonio with players and draft picks to acquire Leonard. Lonzo Ball could be part of a trade package. Then we could be entertained by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich going ballistic on Lavar Ball.

James, of course, isn’t the kind of man to back down from a confrontation, and that would include one from Lavar Ball. Ball, though, would not confront James directly. Ball has the potential to make a situation volatile by questioning any decision the Lakers make. He has no problem finding a willing microphone eager for controversy.

James just doesn’t need the headaches Lavar Ball is sure to cause. Isaiah Thomas was a disruptive force with the Cavaliers in his brief time in Cleveland this past season. Lavar Ball would be an earthquake compared to the minor storm Thomas created.

According to an ESPN report, James wants to decide early in free agency which team he will be with next season. That puts more pressure on the Lakers to make a move for Leonard quickly.

Leonard can become a free agent next summer, at which time the Lakers could acquire him without trade compensation.

James’ best option might be to play with the Cavaliers one more year and then join the Lakers. He would still have to put with Lavar Ball, though — sort of like putting off going to the dentist for a whole year.

Contact Schudel at JSchudel@News-Herald. com; On Twitter: @jsproinsider

MICHAEL OWEN BAKER— ASSOCIATED PRESS In this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball (2) walks by his father LaVar Ball, right, to greet family members.