As the NBA Draft nears, mock drafts are becoming more and more popular in anticipation of Nov. 18. The latest USA Today mock draft predicts a different scenario than most recent mock drafts for LaMelo Ball.

Despite the reports that Ball may be slipping out of the top five picks, USA Today’s trio of Scott Gleeson, Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina slotted Ball to go No. 3 overall.

“The 6-7 point guard played only 12 games in Australia’s National Basketball League, but it was enough to entice a plethora of NBA scouts and rewrite the narrative his father had poorly written. He has a quick-trigger jumper that still needs accuracy, but his floor vision and court savvy give him franchise-changing potential. Charlotte needs a franchise player and this is close to a lock if Ball is there at No. 3.”

While Ball landing in Charlotte was one of the more common picks in the past, it has grown increasingly less common in recent weeks and months. The debate is often at the top of the draft and whether the Timberwolves would select Anthony Edwards or Ball.

From there, either Ball lands No. 2 to a team that trades up for him or he slips past the Hornets and lands somewhere later in the draft. The Hornets are an interesting spot with both Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham in the backcourt. If they move one of them, it could open up a spot for Ball to step in and be the lead guard from day one. Otherwise, it could lead to a logjam in the future between the trio of guards.