Chicago Bulls 2020 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Post-lottery edition

Hornets select PG LaMelo Ball, Illiwara (NBL Australia)

Congratulations for making it this far; this mock draft is officially now a guessing game!

I have zero idea if the Hornets will pick Ball, who would be the best available player at this point.

On the one hand, they could take him and have their up-and-coming youngster Devonte’ Graham move over to shooting guard. Sure, Graham is a little short for the position but he shoots the lights out and should have been in the running for Most Improved Player…but that isn’t the point here.

On the other hand, Charlotte could be satisfied with Graham at the point and pick someone like Tyrese Haliburton to complete the backcourt with Graham or trade back and select a big like Onyeka Okongwu or Precious Achiuwa to fill in their current vacancy at center.

We’re gonna go with the Hornets taking a 19-year-old guy who is 6-7 with outrageously good playmaking skills, solid athleticism, offensive creativity, and a streaky jumper. Ball is the most famous draft pick out there, thanks in large part to his extremely vocal family, led by his loud father, LaVar.

Ball might be the most NBA ready prospect, but his defense or lack thereof, is going to be a liability. Like his brother Lonzo, LaMelo has an unorthodox shot that is hot and cold. The younger Ball is probably closer to an actual jumper than his older brother was when he was drafted by the Lakers two years ago, and LaMelo is much more offensively gifted, to begin with.

So the shot will come in due time.

Two years of playing against grown men as a teenager will make any top prospect better, and Ball has shown he has the size and talent to be on an NBA court.

Ball, who averaged 17 points and 6.8 assists last year in the Australian NBL, could have a tough rookie year with how low his field goal percentage can be. After a year or two, he’ll have all-star upside.