KEY POINTS

  • The Warriors allegedly promised to pick LaMelo Ball as the second overall pick according to Jalen Rose
  • Ball seemed to expect that he would be picked by the Warriors
  • Ball may have added motivation to play harder each time the Hornets face the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors had a good chance of taking in LaMelo Ball at the 2021 NBA Draft but opted to pick James Wiseman instead.

At that time, some felt that the son of LaVar Ball loomed as a better option with questions surrounding the skill set of the 7-footer.

Of course, Wiseman has proven his detractors wrong. He has been performing well although such has not boosted the Dubs' chances this 2020-21 NBA season.

Regardless, Golden State is still up there fighting although they could use some scoring help since Stephen Curry is trying to carry the whole team on his broad shoulders.

Now, the word going around is that the Warriors promised LaMelo Ball that they would make him the second-overall pick of the NBA Draft.

Jalen Rose claims that the Dubs broke their promise and that story about it will come out soon.

Rose was part of the draft coverage of ESPN at the time. He alleged that the Dubs just got off the phone with the handlers of Ball and said they were going to take him in.

It never happened, but it appears that the 19-year-old already expected to be picked after Anthony Edwards at that time.

From the video, the 6-foot-6 guards appeared confident he would be taken in as the second selection of the 2021 NBA Draft.

Somehow, this verifies the claim of Rose. But as most know, it never happened and the Warriors went for Wiseman instead.

It would be best to note that on the same day, the Warriors got word that Klay Thompson had torn his ACL. Ball would have been a plausible choice unless head coach Steve Kerr and company had other plans in mind.

LaMelo Ball of the Hawks in action during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena
LaMelo Ball of the Hawks in action during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena Getty Images | Anthony Au-Yeung

With the Charlotte Hornets, it appears Ball was able to shine. It was another question critics posed had he played for the Warriors.

Though Thompson is out, it remains that Curry is still the top guy for the Dubs. The 19-year-old would have been a short-term solution, especially once the "Splash Brothers" reunite.

Ball is now one of the favorites to win the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year award. He is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds in 35 games.

After getting snubbed by the Warriors, it could give the 2020 NBL Rookie of the Year added motivation to push himself harder–especially each time the Hornets face the Dubs.

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