This comes down to who Cleveland views as the best prospect. The Cavs have drafted guards two years in a row — Collin Sexton and Darius Garland — but at some point, change will come. Ball projects as a better prospect than both, and he brings the most potential star power to a Cleveland team in desperate need of a centerpiece.
Ball is a uniquely skilled playmaker, in a similar vein to his older brother Lonzo. He’s a visionary passer, hitting teammates from angles most point guards wouldn’t even register as possible. He’s a firecracker in transition, a silky halfcourt creator, and an accomplished scorer — even if concerns over his shooting mechanics and thin frame are warranted.
There are roadblocks between Ball and stardom. Lazy defense, turnover proneness, and a general looseness to his approach are all valid criticisms. In the end, however, his talent shines brighter than anyone else in this class, and Cleveland should happily bet on him figuring things out.