Lonzo wears Jordan 31s in semifinals, may be starting bidding war

"Lonzo Ball Shoe Watch 2017" is officially a thing.

The footwear the Los Angeles Lakers' No. 2 draft pick dons in Las Vegas Summer League has been a hot topic of discussion, and with the team squaring off with the Dallas Mavericks in the semifinals of the tournament, Ball's kicks remain a focus.

Ball told ESPN's Cassidy Hubbarth hours before tip-off Sunday night that he would be rocking the Jordan 31s, marking the second time he's gone with Nike.

When asked whether he was secretly trying to start a bidding war among the big-name shoe brands, the UCLA product responded "something like that."

The last time Ball donned the swoosh was against the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the week with a pair of purple Kobes. He finished with a monster stat line of 36 points, 11 dimes, eight boards, five steals, and two blocks in the Lakers' win, which had LeBron James - who was sitting courtside - urging Ball to make the switch.

LaVar Ball, Lonzo's dad, doesn't feel his son has any obligation to always wear his Z02s, though, and is more than accepting of him going with any shoes he desires, whether it's Nike, Adidas, or Under Armor.