LaMelo Ball’s time in the National Basketball League answered a fair amount of questions but still left much up in the air. While he proved he could compete with the highest level of competition he’s yet faced, he left a lot to be desired with his shooting.
He improved his draft stock to becoming a sure-fire first rounder and potentially the top pick. But the “potentially” part of that has many wondering where he may land. Fox Sports Australia’s Olgun Uluc spoke to a handful of NBA executives to get their takes on Ball’s draft status.
“Honestly, I think it’s still unclear where he stands in the lottery,” one Western Conference scouts told foxsports.com.au. “You’d think he’s a lock to be a lottery pick based on his pedigree, and while there were some highs and lows this year, he’s definitely shown how high level a talent he is.”
While there is some variability in Ball’s draft stock, it’s a matter of whether he’ll be one of the first three to five names called and not where he’ll land in the lottery. Ball’s combination of size, IQ and playmaking ability make him an enticing prospect on his own.
He’s the type of player that can change a franchise and be the face of a rebuild. For that reason alone, he’s going to be one of the top picks in June’s draft.
