2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

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March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Lonzo Ball

Point Guard, UCLA

The Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly enamored with Markelle Fultz, but they Philadelphia 76ers leapfrogged them into the top spot in the draft. The Lakers have also been linked to Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox but the best pick here is the obvious one.

Dealing with LaVar Ball off the court is not a fun proposition, but what Lonzo can do on the court will more than make up for it. There are questions about whether his quickness, handle, and off-the-dribble shooting will allow him to be a primary ball-handler but the Lakers don’t really need him to be that. D’Angelo Russell is enough of a primary ball-handler that he and Ball can complement each other perfectly.

For all his warts, Ball is terrific in transition, an incredible off-ball cutter, a good rebounder for his position and a terrific spot-up shooter. He and Russell can take turns attack defensive mismatches, spacing the floor for each other and running opponents off the court. Then Paul George shows up in a hear an this whole thing gets turnt up a notch.

— Ian Levy, Lake Show Life, @TheLakeShowLife