Last night was a very good night for Golden State, as the Warriors planned the number two spot in the 2020 NBA Draft. For Warriors fans disappointed that they did not win the lottery, mind you, the Dubs had about a 72 percent chance of not getting the first OR second pick in the draft, so they should be grateful to be so lucky.
With the order of lottery selections in place, mock designs can now begin to grind to exact team needs and what insiders hear about the importance of an organization, or lack thereof, in particular perspectives.
The most polarizing prospect of them all, LaMelo Ball, is rumored to be anywhere from the first overall pick until later in the top ten. So would the Warriors hope Minnesota jumps over him, allowing them to beat him second?
The talent is real and obvious. Ball is a 6-foot-7 guard who is incredible in space and pushes the quick break. He’s a great passer and can create for his teammates by shaking the defense by penetrating and finding the open man. He is also flying when hitting the ball at the highest point for rebounds, something that can be a great asset for a team from the waiting position. Its ceiling may be higher than any other prospect there. But then come the question marks.
Ball shot a poor 37.5 per cent from the field while playing professionally in Australia last season, along with a meager 25 per cent from deep. Ball is happy to arrange them for a long range shot, and shoots almost seven 3s per game, so converting these shots at such low efficiency is brilliant.
“I see his talent,” remarked Hall of Fame inductee Chris Mullin on the Runnin ‘Plays podcast, “the biggest thing for me will be his work ethic, because to improve your shot there is only one way to do it. to do so is to put time into it. ”
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Like any young raw prospect, Ball, who turns 19 this week, will have to prove to teams that he can be the hard-working court professional expected of NBA players. He has to prove to teams that he can also put a lot of effort on the court, specifically on the defensive end of the floor.
To reach his ceiling, Ball will have to use his immense size from the waiting position, to become a tall and athletic defender who can potentially cover the opponent’s point guard up to small forward. He has yet to show this important aspect of his game.
The Warriors are in need of players who can help them win at the moment, as their roster is built to create a run for the title. If the team aims to keep their choice and select a player at number two in the draft, the player is more likely to get off the bench, as the starting unit for 2020-21 has been significantly strengthened.
According to Mullin, however, leaving the bank is not an easy task, saying “Whoever gets them can put them in, [but] I think what it comes down to is who Steve and Bob really trust when you talk about the bank. What you want is someone who knows what you will get from them. “
[RELATED: Dinwiddie suggests Warriors could ship No. 2 pick to 76ers]
Therein lies the problem. Two of the most crucial needs for the Warriors when they are serious about completing a roster that can compete in the Finals are reliable and consistent defenders to go along with off the bench shooters, two things that ‘ t Ball has not yet been proven. The potential is there, perhaps to even be a future All-Star, but how long are the Warriors ready to wait for that potential to come to fruition?
If they are trying to win now, it would be difficult to make up Ball and use a large asset like the second total choice on someone who is not ready right away. If he falls for them, the Warriors might hope that his dynamic play ability can help enough in the short term to overcome the inefficiencies in his game. But what if he’s just not ready yet?
Oh yes, and then there’s his father …
