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Despite no longer being employed by ESPN as an NBA draft insider, Chad Ford is still one of the most connected people covering the draft on a year-to-year basis. His recent podcast for the Locked On Network has allowed him a chance to jump back into draft coverage and provide his thoughts on the prospects.
In a recent discussion with The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the topic of LaMelo Ball and the No. 2 pick arose. While most, including the Warriors themselves, consider it a debatable matter, Ford saw it in quite a different light (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area).
“If LaMelo Ball’s there at two, then I think that’s a no-brainer for Golden State to take him, again for the trade value alone. Not to mention the fact that his pass ability and basketball IQ and other things — he might find a way to fit in Golden State.”
Even the most optimistic of Ball fans would find it hard to consider much of anything at the top of this draft to be a no-brainer. The closest would be that the trio of James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards and Ball are the top three picks in the draft, but even that is barely a consensus opinion.
In a vacuum, Ball going to Golden State makes sense. Ball’s playstyle matches how the Warriors play and, long-term, he would likely find success in the Bay Area. But the Warriors are likely not looking for long-term help in this draft but immediate impact players instead. Again, even those most optimistic on Ball would find it hard to say he’ll be able to contribute at a high level from day one with a playoff contender.
Ball may land up in Golden State this draft, but if he does, it won’t be a no-brainer decision by the Warriors. The franchise will certainly do plenty of due diligence before they finally make their selection.
