NBA draft prospect LaMelo Ball has withdrawn from the remainder of the draft combine and has made it known he will not interview directly with any more NBA teams.
“I feel I could play on any team and do good anywhere I go, so anything that happens, I’m positive,” Ball told Scott Gleeson of USA Today.
“Anywhere is a great fit. I mean, it’s the NBA. You put me with good players, I feel like it’s even gonna be better.”
Unlike previous years, the NBA combine is taking place across multiple weeks with much of it via video at different locations. League interviews began Monday, and team interviews are set to run through Oct. 16.
The teams with the top three picks in the draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets are all considering drafting LaMelo Ball on November 18 while most of the league’s other franchises are debating if it’s worthwhile to offer future picks, young prospects or an established veteran to acquire him via trade.
The fact Ball played on the other side of the world to NBA scouts last season makes it tougher for teams to get an accurate scouting report on Ball, especially after he lasted only 12 games playing for the Hawks last season.
He certainly impressed while averaging 17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, but it will be difficult to project how that will translate to the NBA and more importantly what teams are prepared to risk betting on Ball making a significant improvement to his unorthodox jump shot which he’ll most likely need to do to reach all-star status.
Bleacher Report mock draft has Ball being the number one selection if the Minnesota Timberwolves hold on to the pick but Ball confirmed he has had talks with the New York Knicks who have the No. 8 overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft who are keen to add the point guard via trade.
Ball’s flair for playmaking, floater touch and versatile finishing package stands out as skills that would immediately benefit the Knicks.
Ball’s elite passing immediately stands out, which would work in pick-and-roll situations with Robinson and allow Barrett to play off the ball and flash into openings.
Many NBA teams are dubious about Ball’s jump shot, which yielded mixed results during his time in Australia. No NBA scout has publicly said they think Ball will suddenly evolve into an efficient shooter but if that means he has the potential to move beyond being merely a 35 per cent shooter from long range remains to be seen.
It’s not uncommon for projected top picks to skip the combine with their status relatively secure. Last year’s No. 1 overall selection, Zion Williamson, sat out the combine all together, while second pick Ja Morant only appeared for interviews.
Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and Obi Toppin each skipped the combine this year, and all could be drafted in the top five.