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2017 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Lakers don’t take Lonzo Ball?

By Chris Stone

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lonzo Ball
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts on the court against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
wrote last week, the Sixers would face a difficult decision at No. 3 should Markelle Fultz and Ball come off the board with the first and second picks as expected. Kentucky’s Malik Monk would probably be the best fit for Philadelphia in that instance, but his value would be a question mark at No. 3 while the other prospects available would all be awkward matches with Philadelphia’s current roster for various reasons.

Ball is the best of both worlds as a top tier prospect who would fit in well with the Sixers’ current core. The UCLA point guard is far from ball-dominant, post a usage rate of just 18.1 percent as a freshman. That would allow Philadelphia to proceed with their current plan to have Ben Simmons be the team’s primary ball-handler. In this scenario, Ball would be able to avoid some of the concerns about his lack of creation ability while attacking moving defenses as a secondary option and bending the floor with his 3-point shooting.

The 76ers would be a landing spot that allows Ball to maximize his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses, a combination that suggests an ideal fit and a big win for the franchise.

Learn more about Lonzo Ball at The Step Back.

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3

Lonzo Ball

PG, UCLA

The Philadelphia 76ers would be the biggest winners should the Los Angeles Lakers pass on Lonzo Ball. As Jared Dubin wrote last week, the Sixers would face a difficult decision at No. 3 should Markelle Fultz and Ball come off the board with the first and second picks as expected. Kentucky’s Malik Monk would probably be the best fit for Philadelphia in that instance, but his value would be a question mark at No. 3 while the other prospects available would all be awkward matches with Philadelphia’s current roster for various reasons.

Ball is the best of both worlds as a top tier prospect who would fit in well with the Sixers’ current core. The UCLA point guard is far from ball-dominant, post a usage rate of just 18.1 percent as a freshman. That would allow Philadelphia to proceed with their current plan to have Ben Simmons be the team’s primary ball-handler. In this scenario, Ball would be able to avoid some of the concerns about his lack of creation ability while attacking moving defenses as a secondary option and bending the floor with his 3-point shooting.

The 76ers would be a landing spot that allows Ball to maximize his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses, a combination that suggests an ideal fit and a big win for the franchise.

Learn more about Lonzo Ball at The Step Back.