2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 26: The Timberwolves’ young core improves
By Chris Stone
Lonzo Ball
PG, UCLA
Draft status: In with an agent
The Big Baller Brand may be having a tough time finding a shoe deal to its liking, but it shouldn’t have a difficult time getting its top prospect off the board with a top three pick come draft night. UCLA’s Lonzo Ball has the potential to be an elite lead guard in the NBA because of his vision and play-making ability and there may not be a better landing spot for him than his hometown Los Angeles Lakers.
Sure, the Lakers already have D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt, but a two point guard lineup featuring he and Ball would be incredibly intriguing offensively as it would give the team multiple ball-handlers to help facilitate. Given that both players are quality outside shooters, there shouldn’t be too much worry about sticking one of them off the ball for some possessions.
Ball is already an elite passer who sees the game several plays ahead. He fully transformed the Bruins’ offense into a free-flowing attack during his freshman season, using his deep 3-point range to help open up the game and his passing to make his teammates better. Surrounding by shooters in the NBA, Ball has the potential to be even better.