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LeMelo Ball Scouting: Discuss

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If we draft Ball and he ends up being so good that he tries to force his way out of Cleveland that seems like a good problem to have. Worst case scenario then is we trade him for an All-Star and/or lottery picks. I can live with that.

Assuming he's going to be that good is a big assumption. The true worst case scenario is that he doesn't end up being that good, and also hurts the culture.

Then there's the possibility that it takes him a few years of development to get to the point of being a truly valuable trade chip, and by then, he just leaves as a free agent.

Usually, the hope with a top draft pick is that he develops into a star/superstar cornerstone of your franchise. Having to discount him reaching his upside with a better than normal chance that he's going to leave isn't good.
 
Assuming he's going to be that good is a big assumption. The true worst case scenario is that he doesn't end up being that good, and also hurts the culture.

Then there's the possibility that it takes him a few years of development to get to the point of being a truly valuable trade chip, and by then, he just leaves as a free agent.

Usually, the hope with a top draft pick is that he develops into a star/superstar cornerstone of your franchise. Having to discount him reaching his upside with a better than normal chance that he's going to leave isn't good.

I agree with all that. Just saying my first concern would be drafting a guy who underperforms for his draft spot. Scenarios where the guy overperforms but has to be traded for some reason are not too scary in comparison.
 
Also it seems like everybody is forgetting that Lamelo played High School basketball in the area for a short stint. There wasn't a single incident or any drama at all either. Flew totally under the radar.

Would I draft him at #5? Yes. Would I try and get the best return possible in a trade? Yes. I would look for the trade package first but if the value in the trade just isn't there, turn the card in.

Don't overthink this.
 
If the Cavs get to draft LaMelo and trade for Lonzo... They can have a line up composed of Ball-Ball-Bell
 
Also it seems like everybody is forgetting that Lamelo played High School basketball in the area for a short stint. There wasn't a single incident or any drama at all either. Flew totally under the radar.

Would I draft him at #5? Yes. Would I try and get the best return possible in a trade? Yes. I would look for the trade package first but if the value in the trade just isn't there, turn the card in.

Don't overthink this.

Yeah Thinking something similar. This isn't MPJ maybe never playing due to serious health concerns. This is Ball falling because he has a tude when he was the consensus #1 overall 2 months ago.
 
Yeah Thinking something similar. This isn't MPJ maybe never playing due to serious health concerns. This is Ball falling because he has a tude when he was the consensus #1 overall 2 months ago.

Whenever I hear about a player falling because of character concerns I always look at what teams are flagging or concerned about his character? Is it teams that are always drafting at the top of the draft? Is it a team with bad ownership, FO, or coaching. That might answer the real questions about character concerns.

There's a difference between The Minnesota T'Wolves who are always in the lottery having character concerns and ownership/FO turmoil and the Golden State warriors having concerns. How many different Head Coaches have The Bulls had in the last decade? is Michael Jordan still running everything in Charlotte?

If those are the teams drafting a head of us then maybe we should consider what those teams have constantly been doing wrong before we just believe how they feel about a prospect.
 
Interesting article on why Ball’s stock is sliding:


If he’s like Lavar, as they claim, then he’s going to be a handful for any organization and coaching staff. Hard pass!
The article does not say he is like LaVar. It just says that LaVar did not do him any favors by having his early teenage years he a reality show. There have been zero issues with LaVar meddling or influencing Lonzo since the minute he turned 18 and I do not believe their will be any issues with LaMelo in that regard either. Their dad is a clown and they know it. They still love him, but LaVar is just a windbag who loves attention, not someone who yields much influence on his adult sons life.

As far as FA, there is still no top10 pick in 20 years that has bolted during the first FA with the exception of those who the team didn’t really want to hold on to. Regardless of who we pick, if we want them around for the extension, they will at least be here in the 7-8 year range
 
The article does not say he is like LaVar. It just says that LaVar did not do him any favors by having his early teenage years he a reality show. There have been zero issues with LaVar meddling or influencing Lonzo since the minute he turned 18 and I do not believe their will be any issues with LaMelo in that regard either. Their dad is a clown and they know it. They still love him, but LaVar is just a windbag who loves attention, not someone who yields much influence on his adult sons life.

I didn't read the article as saying that Lavar still has a lot of influence over LaMelo. I read it as saying that the influence he had over LaMelo before he was an adult led him to develop some questionable habits and discipline - he's not like his older brother in that respect.
 
If the Cavs get to draft LaMelo and trade for Lonzo... They can have a line up composed of Ball-Ball-Bell

Or draft LaMelo, trade for Lonzo, sign Jefferson again for one more season and we can have 2 Balls and a Richard in our lineup. It could be a nice package.
 

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