Ultimate Upside Comparison: Jason Kidd
Safe Upside Comparison: Ricky Rubio
Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (10/27/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 190 pounds, 6’7″
2016-17 Slash Line: .551/.412/.673
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.1 MPG, 14.6 PPG, 7.6 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 2.2 3PM
Speculation is mounting that the Los Angeles Lakers could defy expectations and select Josh Jackson over Lonzo Ball at the 2017 NBA Draft. It would be consistent with the Lakers’ desire to become a more defensive-minded team moving forward.
Until Ball officially isn’t made a Laker, however, it’s far too fitting a move to bet against—and that’s because of what the player has done on the court and what the father has done off-camera.
Luke Walton is attempting to install a motion offense, which means Ball will be asked to play less like Jason Kidd in Los Angeles and more like Jason Kidd in Dallas. If the Lakers believe he can excel off-ball, then this move makes sense.
It’s worth noting that, while Ball’s shooting form is certainly unorthodox, he releases his shot almost as quickly as Klay Thompson.
When he has the ball in his hands, Ball is the type of talent who could help the Lakers find their identity. He’s a generational facilitator who has garnered comparisons to Kidd, and has the size to sustain a ball-dominant role as a facilitator.
Ball-dominant facilitators rarely win on a championship level, but those who do possess elite size. See: LeBron James and, fittingly, Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson.
The New York Knicks don’t have much interest in Ball, but this is still an important development.