Nike interested in Lonzo Ball, but not for $1 billion

There's no question that Nike would like for Lonzo Ball to adorn their timeless swish logo, but only at a reasonable price.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight expressed interest in signing Ball ahead of the 2017 NBA draft, however the preposterous $1-billion price tag demanded by LaVar Ball will not be met.

"It’s a little steep," Knight told Josh Peter of USA Today. “He’s an awfully great player. Yeah, we have an interest."

Lonzo will most likely be named a top-three pick in the upcoming draft. The hyperathletic 6-foot-6 guard led the nation in assists as a freshman and boasts a jump shot that extended well beyond the collegiate 3-point line. He is also the most well-publicized prospect in quite some time.

Of course, much of Lonzo's fame stems from the tireless PR efforts of LaVar, who demanded a billion-dollar endorsement deal among his many outrageous claims in recent months. To put that enormous sum into perspective, Nike reportedly inked LeBron James to a lifetime deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of a billion.

So LaVar's request will not be met, at least not from Nike. But Knight does applaud the effort.

"If he can get it, get it," Knight said,