Is LaMelo Ball the #1 Pick in the NBA Draft?
The curtain has yet to officially close on the NBA season but whether or not it is officially over, there will be a draft on June 25th regardless of the global pandemic currently paralyzing society. But unlike other years, there is no clear-cut No.1 overall pick, however, there are plenty of opinions to go around.
And one of those opinions belongs to the boisterous LaVar Christopher Ball, CEO, and co-founder of the Big Baller Brand. If you’re not familiar with Ball then you probably don’t follow the NBA very carefully but that’s just fine because we will give you a little dose of how he views the youngest of his three boys, LaMelo Ball, little brother to the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, Lonzo, and LiAngelo, currently an undrafted NBA G League player.
“In the draft, when you have the No. 1 pick, you want to take a guy who’s most popular,” LaVar Ball said on the “Pardon My Take” podcast. “That’s one of the things you want to have — like Zion (Williamson) was most popular last year. And then the second thing is you probably want to take the best guard because that’s how the game is changing. Melo is both of those. So, if you’re going to start your franchise and you want to put people in the seats, you gotta get Melo.”
As much disdain as LaVar Ball has cultivated since his talented sons emerged from the darkness and into the NBA spotlight, he could very well have a point. LaMelo Ball was a late first-round to early second-round prospect before the 2019-2020 NBA season began but after spurning a UCLA scholarship as a five-star recruit due to eligibility issues he took flight Down Under where he signed a deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League in 2019. The decision proved to be a wise one as evidenced by his 17 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. Despite a bruised foot that ended his season after just 12 games into the 28-game regular-season slate, he was named the league’s Rookie of the Year.
Some may question the wisdom of selecting an 18-year-old with just a dozen games at a bona fide professional international level but what he did in those games has scouts from every team buzzing. The caveat that comes with drafting Ball, regardless of where he is ultimately selected, is the baggage that his father brings. LaVar Ball is notorious for interfering with coaching decisions that are not, in his mind, in the best interests of his children. In other words, if you pick LaMelo then you’re picking LaVar.
You will find no shortage of teams eager to draft the former but considering that the latter will be part of the package could see LaMelo’s stock drop from a No.1 to as low as a No. 10 overall pick. On June 25th we will find out which team is willing to make that concession in order to have a potential superstar for years to come.
Bet the NBA Draft!
LaMelo Ball is not the only top prospect who could be chosen No. 1 overall. As a matter of fact, there is a prop bet that allows you to wager on which player will be drafted No. 1. Let’s see where LaMelo stands in the pecking order.
Which Player Will be Picked No. 1 Overall in the 2020 NBA Draft?
- Anthony Edwards (Georgia) +125
- James Wiseman (Memphis) +150
- LaMelo Ball (Illawarra Hawks) +400
- Obi Toppin (Dayton) +1000
- Deni Avdija (Maccabi Tel Aviv) +1200
- Cole Anthony (North Carolina) +2000
SI.com’s Jeremy Woo expounded on why Anthony Edwards is the most likely candidate to hear his name called first on draft day. “His production, youth, and high-end physical tools create a compelling case as the draft’s top prospect. The hope is that given time, Edwards develops into a capable, high-usage shot-creator on the wing, and that he will also add value defensively.”
The verdict is out but there is little doubt that whether LaMelo goes first or not, there will be plenty of drama accompanying him as long father LaVar tags along – and you can bet he will!