A report before the start of free agency indicated Lonzo Ball has a torn meniscus and might need surgery.

On his podcast, Adrian Wojnarowski suggested that injury was possibly leaked by Ball's camp to reduce the odds of a trade away from the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I know this: The team didn't want that information out. I don't believe, at least intentionally from upper management. Teams were trying to figure out what was going on with that knee and I don't think anyone wanted the Lakers to know.

"I think there's a belief around there that that information was put out there from around Ball's sphere to keep from getting traded. If teams knew he needed knee surgery, well, you're not trading for him. There was concern he might be put in a deal."

Bobby Marks added that he believes the Lakers signed Rajon Rondo, at least in part, due to injury concerns for Ball.

"The LaVar show is over," added Wojnarowski.