2017 NBA Mock Draft: The 76ers lock up a point guard

One week removed from Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox landing with the Los Angeles Lakers, things are right in the world as UCLA’s Lonzo Ball makes his way back to Los Angeles in what is expected to be the selection for the Lakers at No. 2.

Ball is an elite playmaker for his teammates and he’ll fit well next to current point guard D’Angelo Russell because for all of Ball’s strengths, he’s not a great shot creator for himself. Using Russell in that role and allowing Ball to dominate against moving defenses and in transitions is a surefire way to maximize his skills. The 6-foot-6 guard has unmatched court vision for this draft class — and for any in recent memory, for that matter. He’s a terrific passer who can start fast breaks with lengthy outlet bombs and sees the play ahead of his play. His outside shooting is also a great weapon for spacing the floor and putting points on the board.

Defensively, Russell and Ball will be an awkward fit simply because neither player is an elite athlete, but both of them are big enough that the Lakers could be in a position to simply switch everything and muck up offenses that way.

Learn more about Lonzo Ball at The Step Back.