Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has had a tough few months. He never got back on the court after suffering a nasty ankle injury against the Houston Rockets in the middle of January, and could only watch as his team's playoff chances crumbled away amidst rumors he would be sent to the New Orleans Pelicans in a potential Anthony Davis trade. Then, if that wasn't enough, news broke about the family business, Big Baller Brand. Ball is currently suing the company's former co-founder, Alan Foster, for $2 million that allegedly went missing from Ball's personal and business accounts. Amid personal and professional drama, Ball has also posted cryptic messages to social media, including one that suggested a possible move to Nike. In any case, it certainly seems Ball is ready for a fresh start. Early on Monday evening, Ball announced he would be signing with Creative Artists Agency after mutually parting ways with his agent, Harrison Gaines, last week. Via ESPN: Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has committed to work with Creative Artists Agency after mutually parting ways with his previous agent, Harrison Gaines, last week. "After thinking about this decision over the last few weeks, I concluded that CAA made the most sense for my career both on and off the court," Ball told ESPN in a statement Monday. "With CAA now in place to manage my basketball career, I can focus my attention and energy on training for the upcoming season." Between the pressure he's faced on the court as the No. 2 overall pick for a Lakers team desperate to make it back to the playoffs, an inability to stay healthy and the off-court drama and controversy often instigated by his dad, LaVar Ball, this has surely been a difficult few years for the talented point guard. Making the move to a new, well-established agency for representation looks to be the first bit of house-cleaning for Ball, if you will. Whatever he decides to do in regards to his personal and professional life, hopefully, he will be able to stay healthy next season and show why he was such a high draft pick -- whether that's with the Lakers or elsewhere.<doc-sep>Lonzo Ball has a new agent. Whether he'll soon be wearing new shoes remains unclear. (AP) Lonzo Ball’s latest move in revamping his business ties includes hiring a new agent. The Los Angeles Lakers point guard told ESPN on Monday that he is signing with Creative Arts Agency. Lonzo Ball hires established representation "After thinking about this decision over the last few weeks, I concluded that CAA made the most sense for my career both on and off the court," Ball said in a statement Monday. "With CAA now in place to manage my basketball career, I can focus my attention and energy on training for the upcoming season." In March, Ball parted with Big Baller Brand business partner Alan Foster after $1.5 million from Ball’s personal and business accounts allegedly went missing. He later filed a lawsuit against Foster. Last week, Ball split with agent Harrison Gaines, who had represented Ball since he left UCLA to turn pro in 2017. Ball’s points business dealings in new direction In similar fashion to eschewing an established apparel brand to partner with when he pursued Big Baller Brand, Ball shunned experience in signing with Gaines, becoming his first professional client. In choosing CAA, Ball is moving forward with an established agency that is an industry leader in representing athletes and entertainers. In splitting with Gaines and dissolving Big Baller Brand ties, Ball was believed to be establishing his own path out of the shadow of his father LaVar Ball, who was the face of Big Baller Brand and has a reputation for meddling in Ball’s business dealings. LaVar Ball still involved? Sources told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes recently that agents were still concerned about LaVar’s influence and that he was a significant voice in steering Lonzo’s selection of a new agent. Sources told Haynes that LaVar inquired with prospective agents during Lonzo’s search about the possibility of arranging for his other two sons LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball playing on the same NBA team as Lonzo, a goal he has publicly touted on several occasions. Story continues LiAngelo, 20, is not considered a legitimate NBA prospect while LaMelo, 17, is a top prep talent who could eventually forge an NBA career. LaVar’s role in Lonzo’s career moving forward and the fate of Big Baller Brand are unclear in relation to Lonzo signing with CAA. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has chosen to work with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) as his main representation after parting ways with former agent Harrison Gaines last week, reports ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "After thinking about this decision over the last few weeks, I concluded that CAA made the most sense for my career both on and off the court," Ball told ESPN in a statement Monday. "With CAA now in place to manage my basketball career, I can focus my attention and energy on training for the upcoming season." Ball told ESPN that he talked with several different agencies after he severed ties with Gaines. Ball is also suing Big Baller Brand co-founder Alan Foster for damages of at least $2 million. Ball said the decision to part ways with Gaines was unrelated to the situation with Foster. It remains unclear how Ball's brothers, LiAngelo and LaMelo, along with Big Baller Brand will move forward, according to Shelburne. Gaines had been Ball's agent since he declared for the NBA draft in April 2017.<doc-sep>
Just a week removed from parting ways with his former agent Harrison Gaines, Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has agreed to sign with Creative Artists Agency, according to a report by Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Here is the official announcement from Ball via ESPN: After thinking about this decision over the last few weeks, I concluded that CAA made the most sense for my career both on and off the court. With CAA now in place to manage my basketball career, I can focus my attention and energy on training for the upcoming season. CAA represents some of the biggest names in basketball, including All-Stars Joel Embiid, Paul George, D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. While there’s no word on exactly who in CAA Ball will sign with, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up being represented by Aaron Mintz, who is a client of Ball’s good friend and former Lakers’ teammate Julius Randle. Whoever he signs with, though, Ball will have to wait a few weeks to make anything official. According to NBPA rules, Ball has to wait 15 days from the day he parted with Gaines to hire a new agent. Thus, the soonest he can sign with CAA is April 19. In the meantime, Lonzo’s father, LaVar Ball, is reportedly doing his own due diligence for both Lonzo and his two younger sons, LiAngelo and LaMelo, according to Shelburne: Ball’s father, LaVar Ball, has had discussions with CAA and other agencies as well, according to industry sources, but it remains unclear how he, his younger sons LiAngelo and LaMelo, and Big Baller Brand will move forward. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.