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2020 NBA Mock Draft: Looking to the future after a chaotic 2019 draft

By Brendon Kleen

MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Cole Anthony #3 of Oak Hill Academy handles the ball on offense against La Lumiere in the semifinal of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 05, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Cole Anthony #3 of Oak Hill Academy handles the ball on offense against La Lumiere in the semifinal of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 05, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 31: LaMelo Ball shoots a freethrow during the Big Baller Brand All American Game at the Orleans Arena on March 31, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 31: LaMelo Ball shoots a freethrow during the Big Baller Brand All American Game at the Orleans Arena on March 31, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

. G. Ilawarra. LaMelo Ball. 11. player. 110

We’re going out on a limb here to say Ball rises to the level of competition in the National Basketball League and exceeds his current 2020 draft projections to end up in the lottery. Many NBA teams will be wary of the youngest Ball sibling after the fever dream the last few years turned into for the family, but he is skilled and has that trademark Ball frame — tall and long.

Flashiness is the name of the family’s game on and off the court, and LaMelo may never have the chance to show the high-level intelligence Lonzo showed at UCLA. The best game tape you’ll find of him right now is at the Drew League, which isn’t exactly a great indicator of competitive value. But Ball has great size for the guard spot, should be able to tap into some defensive upside as a pro in Australia, and his playmaking instincts are solidified already. Even this time next year, drafting Ball may feel like a shot in the dark, but certainly the physical attributes, the pedigree of his brother in the NBA, and the potential that he shows out against basketball veterans in the NBL make him a possible lottery pick.

For a good encapsulation of the trouble scouting Ball right now, reading Mike Gribanov at The Stepien:

"“Despite his overwhelming social media presence, he hasn’t played in very many of the top high school and AAU matchups, camps and events in general. Good film of Ball in a highly organized setting and against high-level competition is fairly limited. That has made it difficult to assess his upside and unfortunately that will likely continue to be the case in the NBL.”"

If you have a way to watch Ilawarra vs. Breakers games, they will be must-see TV as Ball goes up against R.J. Hampton in the NBL. Tune in and dream of either playmaker joining your favorite team. This is going to be extremely weird and wildly fun.

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