Cleveland Cavaliers’ potential starting backcourt #1: LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton
The Cavs will have some interesting decisions to make during the 2020 NBA Draft. As stated earlier, this year for the Cavaliers was a rough one and because of that, they currently are one of three teams tied for having the best odds at landing the number one overall pick, per Tankathon. The Golden State Warriors, who have the league’s worst record, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are the other two.
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Despite the current pandemic and the construction of our roster, we may still see the Cavaliers look to draft a player based on talent rather than fit, similar to what we’ve seen the past two seasons.
With all of that being said, depending on where their pick falls, the best choice for the Cavaliers looks to be LaMelo Ball, who Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor thinks is likely in the Cavs’ top tier of prospects.
Fedor also thinks the Cavs will go best player available, although fit could essentially be the difference in deciding between two prospects in the same realm, for context.
Despite the baggage that may follow LaMelo, seemingly involving his father, LaVar Ball, the rare talent that he possesses makes the pick worth it and he could help excel the Cavaliers’ rebuild.
During Ball’s lone season for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL, Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game, per Real GM.
Ball did shoot only 37.7 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from the three-point line, but Ball started to pick up steam before suffering his foot injury and in his last five games, he averaged 23.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game on 40.6 percent shooting from the field.
Something to point out about Ball’s time in the NBL is the competition he went against. LaMelo not only played against grown men but also played against and alongside some notable former NBA players in Andrew Bogut and Aaron Brooks.
Ball is 6-foot-7 with an amazing handle and exceptional passing abilities. He is an exceptional pick-and-roll player and would help the Cavaliers in a multitude of ways. Aside from his passing setting teammates up for easy shots, his length should help to improve the Cavaliers’ defense, depending on the amount of effort he gives.
A pairing of Ball and Sexton in the backcourt would be an amazing one to watch for many years to come. The combination of scoring potential and “swagger” that these two possess would make them one of the best young backcourts in the league, as well as help to fill seats in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.