LOS ANGELES — Life as one of the Ball brothers hasn’t always been easy.

Growing up in the swirl of dad LaVar Ball’s braggadocio — perhaps a plan by LaVar to instill toughness in his sons while also garnering them attention — Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo have had targets on their backs for as long as they can remember.

Reserve guard Lonzo, 27, sat in front of his locker after the Bulls’ victory over the Clippers late Monday night, answering questions about all the critics he and his brothers had to deal with growing up in nearby Anaheim, California, and playing basketball in Chino Hills. With two of the three brothers now in the NBA and all three successful, do any of those critics now owe the Ball family an apology?

“I don’t think so,” said Lonzo, the laidback eldest son. “I think everybody is entitled to their opinion. Some people like us, some people don’t. It definitely doesn’t change my life. I’m just blessed and go out there every day and try to be the best me.”

What’s there even left to be critical about, really? Lonzo Ball is one of the most visible comeback stories in recent sports history, having returned to the Bulls after a 2½-year absence and a rare cartilage transplant in his left knee that no other pro athlete has ever returned from. The youngest son, LaMelo, 23, is a star point guard for the Hornets and leads Eastern Conference All-Star voting for guards. And LiAngelo, 26, has jumped feet-first into the rap game, landing a record deal with Def Jam.

The immediate future is bright. Lonzo Ball just doesn’t know where he’ll be for it. He’s a free agent after this season and has seen his name pop up more than once in trade rumors the last few months.

His dad has promised that the Ball brothers will play together on an NBA team at some point. If LaVar Ball is speaking that into existence, it would have to come together this offseason. LaMelo is rumored to be getting out of Charlotte, although that seems to be a long shot. Lonzo could go anywhere he wants. LiAngelo has abandoned his NBA aspirations for now but could jump back in.

Could one of the Los Angeles teams be the meeting point for all three? Lonzo played two seasons with the Lakers after being drafted No. 2 overall out of UCLA in 2017.

“It’s part of my journey, [and] it’s always nice coming back here and playing in front of my people,” he said of this week’s visit with the Bulls. “L.A. has rocked with me from the beginning.”

But playing ball again for an L.A. team? Ball didn’t say yes or no.

“Wherever I’m at, that’s what I focus on,” he said. “I don’t look too far in the future — just take it day by day.”

That’s the same mentality he has had throughout his return season. And the day-by-days are adding up. After suffering a wrist injury four games into the season and missing 15 games in October and November, Ball has played with consistency, only skipping games when the Bulls have played back-to-backs, which he’s still not cleared for. Since Dec. 28, he has played in 11 of 13 games with increasingly lighter restrictions on his minutes. He logged 26-plus in Monday’s win.

If there was a time for another NBA team to take a chance and try to acquire him, it’s now. And it’s what the Bulls are likely hoping for as the Feb. 6 trade deadline draws near.

Don’t rule it out. And don’t rule out a Ball.