No NBA draft prospect has created more differing opinions this year than point guard LaMelo Ball. In less than one month, we're finally about to see how teams really feel about the 19-year-old who has been in the spotlight since junior high school.
The real question is, how do the Warriors feel about Ball? Would they draft him with the No. 2 overall pick if he's available? NBA draft insider Chad Ford believes Bob Myers would be foolish to pass on Ball.
"If LaMelo Ball's there at two, then I think that's a no-brainer for Golden State to take him," Ford said on his latest episode of "Chad Ford's NBA Big Board" podcast, "again for the trade value alone. Not to mention the fact that his pass ability and basketball IQ and other things -- he might find a way to fit in Golden State."
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Ford's guest, The Athletic's John Hollinger responded by saying "absolutely" to Ford's feelings regarding Ball and the Warriors.
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Ball is a 6-foot-7 point guard with elite passing skills who already sees the court at an All-Star level, but he also has poor shooting mechanics, thinks he can pull up from the parking lot and might not know what the word "defense" means. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
Golden State Warriors
Steve Kerr's wide-open offense might be perfect for Ball. There's a chance he could be the third Splash Brother with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Perhaps Golden State's veterans could get him to buy in on the defensive side of the ball. Another interesting wrinkle that Ford added was using Ball as trade bait.
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The Warriors reportedly want to make a pick at No. 2 overall instead of trading back, but perhaps adding Ball gives them the best chance to later make a big move for a star like Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal. Ball's upside could work in favor of helping the Warriors' current roster or helping them make a win-now move for a veteran.
The 2020 NBA Draft finally will arrive on Nov. 18, and the most-watched prospect on draft night easily will be Ball. What the Warriors will do is anyone's best guess, too.