No team has been linked to LaMelo Ball more in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft than the Golden State Warriors. As the team slated to have the top odds in the draft lottery as is, the Warriors have certainly done their due diligence on Ball.
While the fit is interesting between the top point guard prospect in the draft and a team with a pair of future Hall of Fame guards in the backcourt, DraftExpress actually sees the two as a perfect match.
In their latest mock draft, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz picked the prospect with the best fit for each team as well as their mock draft selection as well. For the Warriors at the top spot, despite mocking Anthony Edwards to them, they noted Ball as the best fit with the following explanation:
But Ball is the most intriguing fit here. The Warriors want to play fast, and there’s no better open-court igniter in this crop than LaMelo. Ball pushing the break with two of the greatest shooters of all time filling the lanes would make for must-see TV. In an offense that thrives off of instinctual reads, his playmaking would shine bright, as long as he’s willing to alter his sometimes-trigger-happy style of play.
Ball would certainly be a great addition to the Warriors offense in a bubble, but he would present as many complications as he would positives. Defensively, a lineup with Klay Thompson, Steph Curry and Ball would leak points at a large rate. Ball has a long way to go defensively while Curry himself already struggles on that end of the court as well. Hiding two players defensively is impossible in the modern NBA.
Offensively, while Ball would excel in an offense predicated on reads and passing, he’s also a player that has always needed the ball in his hands to be most effective. It would be another large adjustment to take the ball out of his hands for large stretches while expecting his contribution level to remain high.
But If there’s a franchise that can figure it out, it’s Golden State. The team crafted a dynasty almost entirely through the draft and has earned a reputation as one of the best teams in the league at developing talent. Ball could be one of the next players to join them.
