Lonzo Ball featured among a pair of categories as a player receiving votes in the annual NBA General Manager survey, released on Thursday, for the upcoming 2019-20 season.
Ball received votes as a player most likely to have a breakout season. De’Aaron Fox, who seemingly had a breakout season in 2018-19, was first at 19 percent. Sophomore Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies and Boston’s Jayson Tatum tied for second while Ball’s teammate, Brandon Ingram, was tied for third with Denver’s Jamal Murray.
Both Ball and Ingram are in new environments in New Orleans with significantly less pressure while playing in a system that could easily lead to breakout seasons. The Pelicans expect to play at a high pace which could lend itself to inflated statistics, whether it be points, assists or rebounds. That could play in the hands of Ingram and Ball, both who have struggled with injuries and consistency in their young careers.
Also interesting was that Ball was included as the most underrated player acquisition voting. Mike Conley was the runaway winner in the category with 36 percent of the vote while Bojan Bogdanovic was second, both acquisitions for the Jazz this summer.
The Pelican trio of Ball, Derrick Favors and JJ Redick all received votes in the category. Redick and Favors were veteran additions while Ball could be the Robin to Zion Williamson’s Batman as New Orleans heads into a new era.
Williamson, meanwhile, was featured heavily, voted as the favorite for Rookie of the Year, the rookie most likely to be the best player in five years, the most athletic player in the league and receiving votes as the player most likely to have a breakout year.
