The Knicks have LaMelo Ball – which is expected to go to the beginning of the 2020 NBA Draft – as the most voted point guard on their board, a source confirmed by Ian Begley of SNY.
“I guess most teams do it,” said an opposite scout from the 18-year-old, who played in the NBL in Australia last season, averaging 17.0 points. 6.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 thefts playing 31.3 minutes per game in 12 games played for Illawara.
LaMelo’s father, Lavar Ball, also seems passionate about the fact that his son can come to New York.
“I think so,” said Elder Ball earlier this month when asked about the Knicks being perfect for LaMelo. “The bright lights, East Coast. If everything aligns perfectly, the Knicks get the first choice and take LaMelo and LiAngelo with him and somehow bring Lonzo in the long run. Shoot – The Triple B’s. The Ball Brothers on Broadway.”
The Knicks currently hold the sixth worst record in the NBA, which would give them a nine percent chance of landing choice # 1. 1 is a 37.2 percent chance of getting one of the top four choices if the regular season doesn’t resume. However, Orlando’s Walt Disney World has “gained significant traction” as a potential “bubble” to host the rest of the NBA season.
New York has two choices in the first round (they received choice # 27 in the Marcus Morris trade with the Clippers) and also has the 38th choice in the second round. Depending on where they land in the lottery, they could try to trade, shoot down or resist and make their choice.