Overview
- Lonzo Ball told Michael Porter Jr. on the Curious Mike podcast that LaMelo has hired a personal driver, a detail first reported on Tuesday and carried by multiple outlets.
- The hire is presented as a practical response to LaMelo’s road history, including a viral February 2026 crash in Charlotte in which LaMelo was unhurt, the other driver suffered minor injuries, and no charges were filed.
- LaMelo’s public driving record also includes a 2024 civil lawsuit alleging a fan’s foot was run over, a claim that remains part of his legal history.
- Reports note the driver detail comes from Lonzo’s comments and has not been independently confirmed by LaMelo or the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- The move may reduce public scrutiny and limit off-court risk as LaMelo settles into Minnesota after his July trade, and it could help the team protect his availability on the court.