LaMelo Ball has emerged as the likely NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner this season with the Charlotte Hornets, but the 19-year-old nearly landed with a different team on the night of the NBA draft.

Jalen Rose revealed on the “Jalen and Jacoby Podcast” that Ball apparently had a promise from the Golden State Warriors that they were going to take him with the second overall pick.

Of course, the Warriors ultimately went with James Wiseman while Ball went third to the Hornets.

“I know (the Warriors) could have taken LaMelo, but I know why they didn’t,” Rose said. “By the way, the night of the draft, the Golden State Warriors told LaMelo Ball they were going to take him next and they didn’t do it. … (Wiseman) was the right pick but that didn’t stop them from telling LaMelo Ball that they were taking him.

“Right after they got off the phone with LaMelo Ball’s team, and telling them they were going to take him, I was apart of the next call. I sent an internal text to our producers on ‘NBA Countdown’ and told them that. Then the pick happened and they didn’t (take him).”

The statement by Rose on Monday appears to have been backed up by Ball.

On draft night, Ball appeared on an Instagram live session and may have dropped a hint that he was set to become the second overall pick by the Warriors. He was seen at his home prior to the start of the draft holding up two fingers before saying, “Y’all, see my fingers. Two!”

While the Warriors may have promised Ball, the eventual results of the draft may have worked out in his favor. Wiseman appears to have been a better fit for the Warriors while Ball has been tremendous this season with the Hornets.

The issue, of course, is the Warriors making a draft promise they didn’t keep. Draft promises like that are common but it is unclear why Golden State backed off of Ball.

In any case, Ball probably isn’t losing any sleep over it based on his early success this season.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!