There have been many recent reports on the Los Angeles Lakers’ potential of passing on UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball, and if they do they will be making a mistake.
The saying goes that when there’s smoke there’s fire, so if reports keep surfacing that the Los Angeles Lakers are considering someone other than Lonzo Ball with their No.2 pick, there must be some truth to it right? Well, let’s hope not because passing on Ball will be a colossal mistake on the Lakers’ part. Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com has a theory on L.A.’s reasoning for looking the other way.
"One source suggested the Lakers might be open to trading down and want to create the impression that they are interested in Kansas’ Josh Jackson so teams who like him would consider trading up to get the No. 2 pick. The Lakers then could still get Ball or Fox after the second pick, the source suggested."
If this scenario is in the Lakers’ plans in order to get Ball and acquire another high pick, then it would be understandable. But if they really are thinking (or overthinking ) of passing on Ball they should reconsider.
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The Lakers must avoid overthinking the situation. Overthinking and overanalyzing are what get many teams in trouble come draft day. The answer for the Lakers is simple: draft Lonzo Ball.
Ball is widely regarded as a top-two prospect. Washington’s Markelle Fultz is seen as the No.1 overall prospect, and in all likelihood will end up on the Boston Celtics. That means Lonzo, the second-best player in the draft, will be available to the Lakers and that’s exactly who they should select.
If the player with the most overall talent and the upside are available that’s who you pick every time. There’s always an argument for a team trying to fill their immediate needs, but a prospect like Ball doesn’t come around often.
Ball single-handedly revitalized UCLA’s basketball program, not just with his court vision and passing ability, but with his tantalizing range. Lonzo averaged 7.6 assists per game—more than any other freshman—while shooting 55.1 percent from the field.
Sure he has an ugly looking shot, but it goes in more than not. Yes, he needs to work on his defense, but that can be taught and a point of focus for the coaching staff. An unorthodox shooting style, weakness on defense and a boisterous father aren’t reasons to pass on the best available talent in the draft. Especially when that talent is unselfish, plays the right way and makes his teammates better.
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If the Lakers do pass on him and he balls out on another team they’ll be kicking themselves. He is the best facilitator in the draft who shoots over 40 percent from three-point range. In today’s NBA those are necessary skills. Defense is buy-in that Luke Walton and his coaching staff must get out of their young players. What Ball has L.A. can’t teach and must not pass on.