One of the things most mock drafts this time of year lack is variety. For the most part, the order is set and there isn’t much variation at the top of the draft, even in a draft like this year with no clear-cut top prospect.
CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone added some variety and excitement in his latest mock draft by introducing a handful of trades into the mix. And LaMelo Ball was featured in one of those trade scenarios.
Boone had Ball slip out of the top three in the draft with Onyeka Okongwu and Deni Avdija both being surprise early selections. Boone projected a trade between the Knicks and Hawks that would see New York jump to fourth and select Ball.
“With top prospect LaMelo Ball unexpectedly falling in this mock, the Knicks make their move up the board and get their guy. The 6-foot-6 LaMelo Ball is the best playmaker in this class and would give the Knicks not just the biggest potential star prospect in this class, but also a franchise point guard to build around as they look to upgrade the position.”
Interestingly, along with Ball slipping, Boone also has James Wiseman sliding in the draft and apart of another trade. The Wizards traded with the Bulls to land the No. 7 pick and selected Wiseman.
It’s an interesting wrinkle to consider in the draft. The Knicks have already discussed the possibility of trading up. And players do routinely slip in the draft, so Wiseman falling could be a possibility. Until the draft lottery and the draft itself, it is an intriguing scenario to consider.