The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Re-drafting the 2017 NBA Draft lottery

By Christopher Kline

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Potential top draftees Lonzo Ball (L), Markelle Fultz (C) and De'Aaron Fox (R) look on before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Potential top draftees Lonzo Ball (L), Markelle Fultz (C) and De'Aaron Fox (R) look on before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. UCLA. 2. player. 20. Pick Analysis. PG. Lonzo Ball

Ball hasn’t been great this season, but he’s starting to pick things up. Over his last 10 (active) games, the Big Baller is averaging 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting a much-improved 38 percent from deep. The instincts and vision were always there, it’s the shot that had most people concerned.

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I was pretty low on Ball heading into the draft, but he hasn’t given the Lakers enough reason to avoid him in a re-draft. His rebounding is an underrated plus, while he’s starting to become more comfortable in his current role — a role that’s far different, and far more complex, than the role he had at UCLA.

The Lakers essentially threw Ball into the fire, giving him lead guard duties in a system that’s more reliant on the pick-and-roll. That, when paired with his early shooting woes, played a big part in his extended struggles.

Now that the offense is coming around and Ball’s defense continues to impress, the Lakers stick with him at No. 2 and continue to bet on his ceiling as a generational playmaker.