1. LaMelo Ball, guard, Illawarra
Arriving here was no cakewalk. LaMelo Ball has serious flaws, and some his counterparts — namely Hayes and Haliburton — have real cases to hold the top spot on my board. In the end, however, it’s Ball. It was always Ball, and it will always be Ball.
At 6-foot-7, Ball is even taller than his brother. He’s also a very different player than his brother, with shifty handles and a feather-soft floater Lonzo could never dream of. LaMelo is streaky from deep, but his soft touch, deep range, and undiluted confidence are all positive indicators.
Of course, LaMelo’s value lies in his playmaking. He is unquestionably the most creative facilitator in this draft. He spent his high school days playing free-flowing, open-court basketball — almost always with the ball in his hands. The result is a unique and exciting, if ultimately flawed, approach to the game.
LaMelo has bust potential, sure. But he also has more star power — more of that unteachable star bravado — than anyone else on this board. He’s the person you bet on at No. 1, whether you’re the Minnesota Timberwolves, or any of the other 29 NBA franchises.