Lonzo Ball was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2017. Will his younger brother LaMelo Ball one-up his older brother and get taken with the top pick on Wednesday?
Ball’s status among NBA executives and scouts is one of more intriguing aspects of this draft. Some draft experts believe Ball will be taken with the No. 1 pick. Others think Ball, despite his reputation as the premier point guard prospect, might drop out of top three slots.
Ball worked out for the Timberwolves on Wednesday, then gave the next two teams in the draft order — the Warriors and Hornets — a closer look on Thursday. Interestingly, the Pistons — who hold the No. 7 pick — were also invited. Ball has also met with the Bulls, who sit at the No. 4 spot.
Detroit would have to trade up to snare Ball and it’s unclear whether they have enough trade capital to make that move. The Pistons don’t own any extra future first-rounders and their best young trade pieces would presumably be Luke Kennard, who missed most of last season with a back injury, and Sekou Doumbouya, who had a spotty rookie year.
Another recent report suggested the Thunder might have some interest in Ball. They don’t own a pick higher than No. 25 in this draft but have plenty of future first-rounders, courtesy of the Paul George deal last year.
If the Timberwolves pick Ball, it would signal that they believe a Ball-D’Angelo Russell backcourt could work. The Warriors, with Stephen Curry, would seemingly be less interested in drafting a point guard. It would make more sense for either the Hornets or Pistons to take Ball, though Charlotte owes Terry Rozier a hefty salary over the next two seasons.
That leads us to our question of the day: Which team will end up selecting or trading for LaMelo Ball in Wednesday’s draft?
Please provide your input in our comments section. We look forward to what you have to say.
I wouldn’t take him at all, high volume shooter that can’t shoot. Not to mention his idiot dad that comes with him. Maybe if his brother had lived up to expectations you deal with Lavar but he hasn’t. Hard pass.
You seem bitter and seem to have zero clues!
What did he say that was wrong?
“I wouldn’t take him at all.” Probably all three teams at the top would take him and they have much more to lose that the critics here.
Ball is a high volume passer, playmaker, and shooter (who can shoot, not great but okay and he’s 19 and still trying to develop). Nice first step to drive to the basket.
He’s the size of a SF w/6’10” wingspan, so can shoot and rebound over the smaller PGs.
If he’s wrong, provide a reason why instead of just saying he doesnt know what he’s talking about
The OP is wrong because he counts irrelevant factors like Levar and misreads the brother. Divac didn’t like Doncic’s father and what did that get him? That analysis is TMI and got a GM fired. Lonzo didn’t live up to expectations? Those were abnormally high expectations, not Lamelo’s fault. Lonzo belongs in the NBA, and by all comparisons, Lamelo was always better, so by that angle, Lamelo is at least a strong starter.
And who has the burden of proof anyway?—Lamelo CRITICS not Lamelo sopporters. After all this time, Lamelo is still the best in the eyes of EXPERTS. Yet a poster wants the critic critics to be the ones proving themselves. Criticising bro, dad, Lithuania, Spire, Australia, and whatever else doesn’t matter. BTW NBA players have come from these places and LA has launched many top players esp guards.
When Ball shows off, it will be innovative passes on the move, not low-% shots, though like everyone else, I am limited to highlight videos. He plays tall and fast. His game projects. His shot needs work but he makes FTs. He’s odd but was raised odd, he didn’t initialize it. 19, has integrated much growth, to 6-10 wingspan… he could torch some quality point defenders right away, even close in.
Not that a good NBA team should expect a solid starter in yr1.
Ben Simmons cant shoot and wont shoot. LaMelo cant shoot and WILL shoot – from anywhere. Opponents will give him as many shots as he wants! Simmons is long. Ball is long. Simmons cant defend at the league’s top percentile. Ball may just be the worst defensive guard in the league once he gets there. Simmons can pass. Ball can pass. They’re point guards – no pat on the back for that. Simmons can rebound. Remains to be seen if Ball rebounds at that level.
For all the wonderful things Simmons can do on the court – except shoot – he’s still a liability in the 4th quarter. And Ball is nowhere near the talent Simmons is.
He won’t meet his draft slot’s expectations.
*CORRECTION (typo):
Simmons CAN defend at the league’s top percentile!
The experts said Markelle Fultz was the best too. Still can’t shoot.
If the Wolves pass on LaMelo, then the Warriors will almost certainly take him. Curry has become even more injury-prone than Chris Paul while missing 104 out of a possible 229 games over the past three seasons. They’re desperate for another reliable PG who can fill in whenever Curry is out for an extended period of time, or needs to take a game off every now and then.
Expected take.
Only because it’s true.
Curry missed a majority of those games this past season. You are such a joke. I can’t decide who’s worse, you or Sillivan. At least he just reads every report out there and makes silly trade predictions. You’re on a whole other level dude.
hwmvps trolling.
Ball will be a bust.. doesn’t have the work ethic to be great and has led a coddled existence..always handed a starting role, has never had to earn anything.. the competition he was playing against was less than the d league..Lithuania and Australia.. his name is out there because of the marketing of Lavar..
Lol… Stop it!
What did he say that was wrong?
The ball family is heavily overrated.
You hate his dad, not him, calm down.
Agreed. He was only famous cuz he took stupid half-court shots in high school. If he becomes good, power too him, but he is coddled af like you said and its annoying. Also, why tf does facebook do a show on his family?? Hope none of yall watch that crap
I love to see Warriors trade with Pistons
Pistons are willing to take Wiggins contract to move up
Bulls are willing to deal Carter Jr and 4 to move up
Warriors aren’t trying to get rid of Wiggins contract, dummy!
But I’d like to see Blake Griffin for the #2 pick straight up.
Knicks are not aggressive to move up so far
They said they want to make playoffs. It seems to me that they just sit there and die
Sounds like a terrible draft if this is the #1
That is pretty much the consensus and has been for a while.
It’s not a terrible draft, there’s like 15 guys who are going to be NBA regulars for a long time. Will they be superstars? Probably not, but barely any of these guys will actually flop.
Such a greedy take, do you seriously think there’s a Zion in every draft? Dumb…..
You don’t know that even 1 of these guys is going to be an NBA regular for a long time, let alone 15. You don’t know any of what you said. You cannot see into the future. You are just guessing just like everyone else.
Pass on LaMelo Ball.
Wolves take Edwards
Warriors trade down with Hornets who take Wiseman
Warriors take Haliburton to back up Curry and Thompson
Bulls take Avija
Cavs take Toppin
Hawks take Hayes
Knicks take Lewis Jr
Wizards take Aaron Nesmith
Suns take Williams or Vassel or Bey
So you have LaMelo still on the board at pick 11? Or since you skipped the Pistons at 7, is that where you think he goes?
I seriously hope this happens just to hear the complaints from Knick fans about taking Kira Lewis at 8. They would go ballistic.
I don’t hate this, I see GSW and Chicago taking Halliburton and Avdija, but could go either way tbh, GSW needs a wing more than a backup to the Splash bros.
Warriors would want Miles Bridges + #3 for #2 + TPE and CHA gets choice of James Wiseman (likeliest pick) or whoever is left of LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards. Or just take whoever falls into their laps.
You may be right, but Charlotte can’t make that trade. It’s a bad trade for the Hornets from this perspective: they’re rebuilding and you’re trading essentially two lottery tickets for one. They’re not at the point where you consolidate talent for need. If whomever they take busts, that really sets you back.
Clickbait…
It worked…
First words of the title: Community Shootaround. We’re shooting around as requested. Should this series be done with? I think not.
For those who think Lamelo is overplayed… How can that be helped, when this draft has been talked about for so long… it was supposed to happen what, 6 months ago.
Anyway Lamelo has actually been kept from the spotlight… we hardly know what he’s like. Probably like a private-school jet-setting kid, since he kind of is one. I would not say “coddled” though since he’s been off the path.
I wonder if Fredo…oops I mean LiAngelo will ever make the NBA.
Man I thought this was one of my better jokes, but I guess it didn’t work with the room. Seriously guys, check out the Godfather. Well worth your time.
I can handle things…I’m smart!
wolves will take lamelo if they dont trade, his floor is pick 3
His floor is pick 2, the Warriors will gladly take him.
bro what dont people understand the warriors are win now we are either trading that pick with wiggins to get a star or drafting a prospect then trading him we dont have time for the rookies to evolve
My input: I’d rather see content on any other draft eligible than this empty hype.
Where is the deep analysis on Avdija, Toppin, Okongwu, Hayes, Halliburton, Pokuševski, Vassell, Bey, Bey, Green?
Where’s the second round analysis? Who might slip from Round 1 to Round 2? Who falls off the board? Who goes undrafted and gets a 2-way? Will teams use their 2-way spots the same way this year?
Lots of actually interesting stuff to write articles about, without fueling the obvious, played out, tired hype machine. Sheesh…half the content on the article was recycled.
Go to The Ringer, Kevin O’Connor put together a nice breakdown of the top 50? Or so. Also this is a news aggregator. They are not going to have as much original content for you with the breakdown you want. Look at links sources of the links referenced in the posts and you can probably find more.
Thanks for the tips, honestly. I know about those sites. I’ve been reading this site since the beginning, when it was pretty much one guy and only MLB Trade Rumors. It hasn’t always just been a news aggregator, and they have some original content. What I’m pointing out is that, editorially, they could choose to aggregate or focus on compelling, different content instead of just doing the easy ad-driven media thing and throwing up empty clickbait. I know they are capable of better.
Also, they are feeding into the mystique/legend that has been the agent’s tactic all along: hide and hype.
Skip the college route, play on a teams as remote as you can get, that are also not nearly as competitive and won’t produce much of any tape, and play only a little bit so the news and numbers show positive results. Refuse in person workouts with NBA teams at first. All the while hype hype hype. Feed constant nuggets to hungry journalists.
It’s transparent. No one really knows what he is, except that he is a sibling to a former #2 that was also hyper out of this world.
I see what you’re saying. Makes a lot of sense. I don’t disagree with you, but I think so long as the NBA is an entertainment product and so close to American culture, we’ll always have stories like these. For as many people like you that look for the Xs and Os, there are a lot of more casual fans who buy into the spectacle, and watch the draft to see a celebrity. Agents/media exploit for money, rinse repeat.
Your point about foreign leagues, less eyes, think you nailed it especially in this case.
*Agents/media exploit the situation, but yes of course they exploit the player too.
One final note – all of this in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, it’s superficial, and not pure basketball, but dollars from casual fans keep the sport going. So even though it’s annoying and fake, I’d argue that overall it’s more good than bad.
I hope someone takes him before #3 so Charlotte isn’t left with him. Ball isn’t that great. This reminds me of the hype for Lonzo in some ways, except Lonzo is a better player than his brother is.
I think LaMelo has a bit more of a ceiling than Lonzo, but it’ll also take him a lot longer to get there. We’ll see if he can put forth the consistent effort in training for the several years it will take. Having a brother that’s already done it helps.
He’s not even as good as Lonzo
bro yes he is maybe even better
How many people here who are saying he’s going to be a bust have actually seen the kid play? I don’t think anyone knows enough about his game to judge him just yet.
He has a decent ceiling and a high IQ, but he hasnt played enough. He isnt ready to play on a contender like GSW, he’s probably a fit on the Knicks tbh.
I would not rush to call golden warriors a contender. Reports out of oakland are steph curry looks softer than baby poop. Clay also has some work to do to get up to speed. They really need help at the guard if they have any Hope’s of competing in a very tough western conference.
I’d imagine not many because he hasn’t played that much, which is part of the problem. What he has played has been against lower level competition. It’d be like sending a solid NBA player to the G League for a few games, watching him do well and then believing he can lead a franchise. This guy has been carefully built up so he looks good.
Another point is that he hasn’t shot especially well against a weaker league.
He couldn’t get off the bench for that rec Lithuania team..Australia league is where Andrew bogut won the mvp couple years back.. if bogut is your mvp at end of his career, talent level is below g league.. defense is horrendous and his shooting is below avg.. his plus is he’s tall guard.. not a leader and not mature to lead a team. Also, injury prone
Wolves, Bulls or Pistons. Best chance is the Bulls, at #4. If he falls, I don’t think he’ll get past the Pistons, or, if he does, the Knicks. I keep the Wolves as a possibility because nobody else seems to fit. Another team on a trade up (prior to #7) is possible, but I can’t think of anything off hand.
Gersas won’t be bothered by the risk of Ball, nor will anyone trading up to #1. Predict Ball there as he is the most likely to have been the guy the first picker should have selected!
Well said
Wolves won’t be bothered by the low floor. But I think it will make other teams hesitant to trade up to #1 for him, at least for a hefty price. If he can’t get the right package for the pick, he really only has two choices that he can’t be faulted for. Edwards or Ball. Drumbeat has been Edwards, because he’s has the “SG” after his name, but neither is really a perfect fit.
I don’t think he’ll be a bust by any means, but I do think it will take him a little bit longer than Lonzo did to develop and reach whatever potential he sets. Certainly has a higher ceiling than Lonzo, but a significantly lower basketball IQ at the same age. A lot of that has been hidden by his insane an unique ability versus current competition, but you’re kidding yourself if you think players in the NBA won’t just short closeout and force him to be a chucker, relegating him to a transition based offense role his first few years.
I think Edwards is clear-cut #1 pick. The biggest sell along with top of the draft board skills is the NBA-build, hops and wingspan with the at the size of the linebacker. Edwards is barely 19… scary to think how strong he could be. Excellent at creating his own driving lanes to finish and the catch + shoot game looks to have significantly less holes than LaMelo’s. Even his ability to create his own shot, albeit inefficiently, it shows explosive quickness and the potential to be a 25ppg guy in the future.
While I’d take Edwards, I wouldn’t rail on LaMelo at 1st overall. Both players biggest flaws are their consistent defensive effort and whispers about professionalism. I think that should be expected from 2 barely 19 yr. olds and can be fixed in the right NBA locker rooms.
After following, watching & living the NBA for 35 years, I can say without any doubt whatsoever that LaMelo WILL be a superstar in this league, as simple as!
Always amuses me when fans think the NCAA is better than any pro league overseas, I mean playing against a bunch of kids of which hardly can ball or playing versus grown men who actually earns a handsome living for hooping, clearly the NBL is a much tougher proposal than the NCAA, that is not even debatable!
All of that reminds of 2 years ago, most fans in this forum didn’t think Luka would even be a star, too slow, unfit, not athletic, don’t defend, not a great shooter… well in 2 years he is owning the league.
Fair enough. Do you find G league to be comparable to NCAA? Better worse? Not a set up I am curious
Don’t really follow the G league, but I must assume the level is gotta be higher as we talking of grown men that get paid for playing & are looking for an NBA chance… meanwhile in college there are like 500 teams with maybe 50 guys who realistically have any chance at all to play in the NBA, adding this to the fact that are kids, not men, with the experience that comes with that, makes me reach the reasonable conclusion that it is a higher level in the G league. But as I said I don’t closely follow the G league…
Brandon Jennings/Knight to MCW arc is my projection.
most people are just saying he is gonna be a bust because his big bro lonzo not living up to the hype