WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks shoots from the free throw line during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors have a shot at landing the No.1 draft pick, but drafting the highly sought after LaMelo Ball might not be in their best interests.
Even though the Golden State Warriors are not one of the 22 teams currently competing in the Orlando bubble right now, they continue to be in important conversations regarding draft picks and next season. The Warriors finished the 2019-20 season at the bottom of the league due to injuries.
So although the team had to suffer through a dismal 15-50 record, the Warriors’ abominable season means they have a 14 percent chance, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, at winning the top pick.
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With stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson expected to be fully recovered for next season, the Warriors are undoubtedly going to be title contenders in the NBA once again. The 2020 draft can help the team be stronger, so they should thread carefully. There are a number of rumors surrounding the Warriors right now.
One of the most exciting storylines presented thus far is the idea that the team is considering how to make a trade to obtain Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is a virtual lock for MVP this year and is one of the most dominant forces in the NBA right now. If the rumors are true, the Warriors should do whatever possible to secure the trade, and that would most likely mean giving up their draft pick and a whole lot more.
But lets for a second assume that the Golden State Warriors are entering this year’s draft with the intention of drafting for future talent. Should they give in and go for the high-profile guard, LaMelo Ball? Looking at his recent stats from playing over in Australia, the 6’8″ guard was averaging 17.0 points per game, an impressive 6.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. Shooting-wise, Ball was 37.5 percent from the floor and a concerning 25 percent from deep.
LaMelo certainly has the talent and potential to be great like his older brother, Lonzo. But if similarities are to be drawn between the two brothers, then the Warriors should learn from Lonzo’s start in the NBA. For one, LaMelo would also be drafted into a title-contending team with elite players like Lonzo was with the Los Angeles Lakers. Being under the wing of NBA veterans with rings and playoff experience is a valuable resource to rookies, but Lonzo did not flourish in that environment, coming of his shell with the New Orleans Pelicans now where he is indisposable.
Their father, LaVar Ball, seems to know this. On Twitter, LaVar has said in many words that he thinks LaMelo is a bad fit for the Warriors. He furthered his narrative on a recent podcast by comparing his youngest son to Michael Jordan and implies that if LaMelo were to be drafted by the Warriors, he should start.
“Just like people was trying to tell me when Golden State was saying ‘Is it ok if Melo comes off the bench and learns?’ and all this stuff and I was ‘Nah.’ People was telling me Well ‘Kawhi, he came off the bench. Giannis came off the bench.’ Ok. Michael Jordan didn’t come off the bench.”
If LaMelo is like his brother, then LaVar is right in that he needs minutes and space in order to shine. But with proven talent like Steph and Klay on the floor, LaVar Ball won’t be getting his wish. More importantly, though, is the fact that LaVar Ball’s overbearing involvement in his sons is toxic. This was true with Lonzo and it will be true with LaMelo. The Golden State Warriors should avoid the baggage that comes with LaMelo Ball altogether and look elsewhere.
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Why the Golden State Warriors should not draft LaMelo Ball - Hoops Habit
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