The New York Knicks and LaMelo Ball continue to be linked to one another time and time again as focus shifts more and more to the 2020 NBA Draft. While the Knicks reportedly are working on ways to ensure a top pick whether via the draft lottery or a trade, Ball’s camp could also be doing their part to pair the two parties together.
From Marc Berman of the New York Post:
“Some league sources believe the Ball camp will try to steer the 18-year-old point guard to the Knicks, though such a maneuver will seem difficult if Leon Rose’s club doesn’t rise into the top four in the lottery.”
The amount to which the Ball camp can direct their way to New York still relies on some draft lottery luck as well. It’s hard to imagine Ball falling further than the top five in the NBA Draft and, as it stands, the Knicks are sixth in the lottery standings. Though, if the season resumes, only 1.5 games separate the Knicks from the second spot in the draft lottery with 16 games remaining.
There likely won’t be a lot the camp can do this season to direct Ball to New York. In years past, camps would deny teams individual workouts if they didn’t want their player drafted there. This season, individual workouts very well may not happen, limiting Ball’s camp’s options.
However, fans saw how LaVar was able to speak Lonzo to the Lakers into existence and New York has been his preferred destination for LaMelo. If Ball is able to direct a second son to a desired franchise, it may be his best feat yet.
