LaMelo Ball has the highest advantage of all players in the NBA 2020 Draft, according to NBC’s Rob Dauster. He is a 6’7 ″ guard who has fantastic handles and elite court vision, which makes him dangerous from pick-and-roll. Ball supporters see a guy who could have an offensive type of Trae Young, All-Star.
There are also serious questions and doubts that Ball can reach that limit. He lacks a coherent pull, especially from the bottom, his decision making needs work, his defense is not good at all and there are persistent questions about his work ethic. Ball is a high variance choice, perhaps he can be transformed into an elite player, but his plan is also quite low.
The Knicks, who need a star, are willing to make a big jump and hope that Ball can be a home run. He is the best guardian of the team’s board, reports Marc Berman to the New York Post.
The Knicks need a ball handler and Rose might be willing to give Ball the chance to be that guy (RJ Hampton is also interested in the Knicks), but it would be smart to bring a veteran who can play that role too.
The Knicks have the sixth worst record in the NBA in the current state of things (it’s unclear if there will be more games than the regular season). New York has a 37.2 percent chance of landing in the top four (9 percent gets the first pick) where Ball will potentially be on the scoreboard, but a 50.4 percent chance draws no. 7 or 8, at which point it is likely already taken.