LaMelo Ball Rumors: PG Called 'Inconsistent and Erratic' by Western Executive
Multiple NBA executives expressed some concern about LaMelo Ball and his ability to be a franchise player ahead of the 2020 NBA draft Wednesday night.
According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, an anonymous Western Conference executive said: "He's inconsistent and erratic. But he has an elite IQ and he's 6-foot-7."
An anonymous Eastern Conference executive added: "I worry about giving him the keys to my franchise. But he's a worker and handles pressure so well."
Ball, who played professionally in Australia last season instead of college basketball, is one of a handful of players who could go No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and Deni Avdija.
Regardless of where Ball goes in the draft, it's likely he will be the most talked-about player of the night.
Aside from his impressive skill set, Ball is the younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, who went No. 2 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. Also, LaMelo has an outspoken father in LaVar Ball, and he'll likely have plenty to say about his son just as he did after Lonzo got drafted.
It may not be fair to downgrade LaMelo because his brother hasn't lived up to expectations or because his father can be a distraction at times, but that may be something he has to deal with on draft night.
Purely in terms of on-court performance, however, there is a lot to like. Playing against older and more experienced players in Australia, he averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 12 games with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL.
Although the sample size is small, Ball's all-around game could translate well to the NBA, and the team that takes him will be banking on the notion that his floor and ceiling are higher than that of his brother.
LaMelo has also said all the right things leading up to the draft. When asked about the possibility of going No. 1 overall, he told ESPN's Eric Woodyard: "I feel like I'm born for this. ... I feel like I'm just the right man for it."
If Ball doesn't go first overall, it's difficult to envision him falling outside the top five given his well-rounded game. Even if his shooting and scoring never come along, as has been the case with Lonzo so far, he'll still be a useful player.
It may turn out there is no dominant player in this year's draft class, but of everyone available, Ball may have the highest floor.
