If you’d told anyone back in 2017 that the Ball brothers would be where they are right now, they’d probably have laughed. Hard. Back then, it was all Big Baller Brand, $495 sneakers that fell apart in a quarter, and LaVar Ball claiming he could beat Michael Jordan one-on-one. Fast forward to January 2026. The hype has mostly evaporated. What’s left is something way more interesting: three different men carving out lives that look nothing like the "Lakers dynasty" their dad spoke into existence.
Lonzo Ball and brothers have spent nearly a decade under a microscope that would’ve melted most people. Honestly, it’s a miracle they’re still standing.
The Lonzo Ball Comeback: A Cleveland Reality Check
Lonzo’s story is the one that really gets people. It’s been a brutal few years. After that "once-in-a-career" cartilage transplant surgery back in 2023, most experts thought his knees were basically dust. For a guy whose game relies on lateral quickness and defensive anticipation, a donor meniscus sounds like a death sentence.
But he actually made it back. He’s currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers, having been traded there from the Bulls in the summer of 2025 for Isaac Okoro. It wasn't the triumphant return the media wanted. He isn't the 35-minute-per-night floor general anymore.
As of early 2026, Lonzo is essentially a situational backup for Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. The stats aren't pretty—he’s averaging around 5.2 points and 4.5 assists—and his shooting splits are hovering in a range that makes Cavs fans wince. He went through a stretch this January where he barely saw the floor. Then, out of nowhere, he’ll pop for 9 points and 4 assists in 14 minutes against Philly, reminding everyone why he was a number two pick.
The defense is still there, mostly. His IQ is still off the charts. But the explosion? That’s gone. It's a "B+" brain in a "C-" body, and watching him navigate that is both inspiring and a little bit sad.
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Why the Podcast Move Matters
In November 2025, Lonzo and his middle brother LiAngelo launched The Ball in the Family Podcast. This isn't just another athlete trying to be Joe Rogan. It’s a calculated pivot. Lonzo knows his playing days have a shelf life. By bringing on guests like Michael Porter Jr. and Donovan Mitchell, he’s building a bridge to his next life. It’s the most "human" we’ve ever seen him—joking about the Chino Hills days and being honest about the pain of those two years on the sidelines.
LaMelo Ball: The Only True Superstar Left?
While Lonzo is fighting for minutes in Cleveland, LaMelo Ball is still the engine in Charlotte. Sort of.
The youngest brother is the only one who actually fulfilled the "superstar" prophecy. He’s an All-Star. He’s got the massive PUMA deal. He’s the guy who can drop 30 and 10 on any given night. But the 2025-26 season has been a grind for him too. The Charlotte Hornets are sitting near the bottom of the East with a 14-26 record.
LaMelo is averaging 20.1 points and 7.7 assists right now, which are great numbers for anyone else, but for him, it feels like he’s idling. The concern is—and always will be—the ankles. If you look at his injury report from the last year, it’s a CVS receipt. Ankle, wrist, ankle, calf, rest, ankle. It never ends.
There’s this weird tension in Charlotte. He’s their "emotional leader," but he’s also a trade asset that every contender is eyeing. If the Hornets don't start winning, do they move him? That’s the question everyone in the league is whispering about.
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LiAngelo Ball: The Music Pivot and the G-League Grind
Then there’s Gelo. The middle brother has always been the outlier. He’s the one who didn't get drafted, the one who went to Lithuania, the one who had the incident in China.
For a while, he was grinding in the G-League with the Greensboro Swarm. He actually played there through the 2024-25 season, showing he’s a legit professional-level shooter. But he never quite cracked the NBA rotation. The speed of the modern game just isn't kind to 6'5" wings who aren't elite defenders.
The real shocker came in 2025. LiAngelo leaned into a music career. His track "Tweaker" actually went viral, racking up millions of views. Rumor has it he even signed a massive record deal with Universal. He still shows up on the podcast with Lonzo, and he’s still in the gym, but it looks like the dream of three brothers on the same NBA court is officially dead.
The LaVar Factor in 2026
You can’t talk about Lonzo Ball and brothers without mentioning the architect. LaVar is still LaVar. He’s still doing interviews claiming his boys will be the first "on-court billionaires." He still says they’d win a chip if a team just signed all three of them.
But the tone has changed. The world isn't as angry at him anymore. People kind of appreciate that he was just a dad who believed in his kids to an insane degree. Even if the Big Baller Brand isn't the Nike-killer he promised, his kids are all wealthy, healthy, and doing their own thing.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Balls
People think the "Ball Era" was a failure because they aren't all All-Stars on the Lakers. That’s a narrow way to look at it.
- Lonzo overcame a medical mountain that usually ends careers.
- LaMelo is a top-tier talent despite playing for a struggling franchise.
- LiAngelo found a way to make millions without the NBA's permission.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Ball Brothers
If you're trying to keep up with the family in 2026, don't just look at the box scores. The real story is happening elsewhere.
- Watch the Podcast: If you want the truth about Lonzo’s knee or LaMelo’s frustration with Charlotte, The Ball in the Family Podcast is the only place they actually talk.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: Lonzo is on a $10 million expiring-ish deal. Cleveland might move him to a team needing a veteran locker room presence.
- Check the Hornets' Net Rating: Don't just look at LaMelo’s points. Look at how much better the team is when he’s actually healthy. It’s a staggering difference.
- Ignore the BBB Hype: The brand is a lifestyle play now, not a performance one. If you're buying the shoes to play basketball in, your ankles will probably regret it.
The "Ball Dynasty" didn't turn out to be a bunch of trophies. It turned out to be a story about three kids surviving a hurricane of fame and finding their own lanes. Lonzo is a survivor, Melo is a star, and Gelo is an entrepreneur. That’s a win in any playbook.
Next Steps to Track the Season:
To stay ahead of the curve, set alerts for Cleveland Cavaliers injury reports specifically for Lonzo's "load management" days. His availability usually dictates how the Cavs' second unit moves the ball. Also, keep an eye on LiAngelo's Spotify numbers—if his music career continues to outpace his G-League earnings, expect a formal retirement from basketball by the end of the year.