Written by Ricky O’Donnell at SB Nation.com
Markelle Fultz has been the No. 1 overall pick in every mock draft we’ve done this season. He’s become the consensus top talent in this class and looks like the type of player who can be a franchise cornerstone for a decade.
There might only be one scenario where Fultz *wouldn’t* be the No. 1 pick.
The Lakers “appear to be enamored with (Lonzo) Ball,” according to ESPN’s Chad Ford. If the Lakers win the lottery when the ping pong balls are finally let loose on May 16, it’s possible Ball goes No. 1 and all of Southern California is suddenly outfitted in $500 shoes.
We’ve been randomizing the draft order in the weeks leading up to the lottery, and the Lakers wound up at No. 1 this time. Magic Johnson is strangely confident the Lakers will be keeping their draft pick — it goes to the Sixers if it falls outside the top three. Maybe he knows something we don’t.
1. Los Angeles Lakers — Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
The dual point guard look has become one of the biggest trends in college basketball over the last few years. UConn won a national title with Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright in the backcourt, as did Duke with Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook, as did Louisville with Russ Smith and Peyton Siva, as did Villanova with Jalen Brunson and Ryan Arcidiacono.
Pairing Ball with D’Angelo Russell would bring this experiment to the NBA. The reason it has a chance to work for the Lakers is because both players have great size and rare outside shooting ability for big lead guards.
There’s a long history of tall point guards struggling to shoot, from Ricky Rubio to Shaun Livingston to Emmanuel Mudiay. Ball and Russell are different. Theoretically, this gives the Lakers a backcourt with two players skilled enough to be primary ball handlers, who can shoot, pass, and initiate the offense from anywhere on the court. They both also have the size and length to defend multiple positions.
A new big three of Ball, Russell, and Brandon Ingram would rejuvenate the Lakers under Magic Johnson and Luke Walton. With all three on rookie contracts, it would also give the front office some room to maneuver for a top free agent. Paul George, anyone?
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