NBA Teams Expecting LaMelo to go Number One: Givony

Most NBA front offices are expecting NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball to be selected with the first pick in next week’s NBA Draft according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

While teams are anticipating Ball’s name to be called first at next Thursday’s draft, what team he actually starts his NBA career with remains a mystery.

“Most NBA front offices are operating under the assumption that Ball is going No. 1 -- either to the Minnesota Timberwolves or a team that trades up to select him,” Givony wrote on espn.com.

“Some popular picks among executives to make such a move for Ball at No. 1 include the Chicago Bulls (currently holding the No. 4 pick), Detroit Pistons (No. 7) and Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 25, plus a stash of future firsts).”

Givony added that “Ball has yet to conduct any workouts for teams and, at least for now, has made no plans to do so”.

Ball played for the Hawks in NBL20 as part of the Next Stars program and averaged 17 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game on his way to winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. He recorded triple-doubles in his final two games in the NBL.

The NBA Draft takes place next Thursday (Australian time), with fellow NBL Next Star RJ Hampton also expected to be a lottery selection.