Is LaMelo Ball the prize of the 2020 NBA Draft?
NBC Sports Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson said on the most recent edition of the Bulls Talk Podcast that he believes the Bulls would jump at the chance to select Ball if the opportunity presents itself come Nov. 18.
"I personally do believe that if LaMelo is on the board or somehow gets to (No.) 4, that he absolutely will be the pick," Johnson said. "The Bulls are, from what I've been told from people around the league, the impression is the Bulls are absolutely going to address the point guard position this offseason. Whether that's through the draft or free agency, I don't know the answer to that.
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"There's even now a rumor today that the Bulls are contemplating trading up to (No.) 1, because they have to get LaMelo Ball... If LaMelo is on the board, I absolutely see the Bulls taking him. To me, he would have to be their number one rated point guard."
The Bulls own the No. 4 overall pick this year -- the first time since 2008 they are slated to select inside the top five.
And smoke is building around their interest in Ball, specifically. In a Monday column, ESPN's Jonathan Givony called the Bulls a "popular pick among executives" to try and trade up to No. 1 and select Ball, along with the Detroit Pistons (owners of the No. 7 pick) and Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 25).
"Unless a surprise trade completely disrupts the top of the draft, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are likely to make up the top three in some order, according to conversations with multiple team executives, scouts and agents," Givony wrote. "Most NBA front offices are operating under the assumption that Ball is going No. 1 -- either to the Minnesota Timberwolves or a team that trades up to select him."
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Do with all the noise what you will. With the draft eight days away, there is surely only more to come.