In an appearance on Boston Sports radio 98.5, Celtics president Danny Ainge said Lonzo Ball has declined the invitation to workout for the Celtics. The Celtics have the number one pick in next month’s draft and Ainge would like to have all the top picks in for individual workouts. It is not uncommon for top picks to select which teams they will workout for. Lonzo’s dad, LaVar, has stated publicly on more than one occasion that he would prefer his son play for the Lakers. So working out for the Celtics is not a part of Team Ball’s plan.
It doesn’t matter if Lonzo works out for the Celtics, there is enough tape out there on him and plenty of Celtics scouts have seen Ball in action this season. Also, the Celtics have drafted players in the past that haven’t worked out for them ahead of the draft. What will determine if the Celtics choose Lonzo is fit. The Celtics have a lot of guards on the roster currently and there are questions about Lonzo’s athleticism and his shooting, though the latter is slightly overblown.
The Celtics are currently in the eastern conference finals, down 3-1 to the Cavs, and will have cap space to sign a top free agent, and the number one pick. Regardless of whether they get to see Ball in a private workout is irrelevant. Ainge clearly has a plan and he will draft or trade the pick to acquire whatever assets he thinks best suit his team.