NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Linked To LaMelo Ball Amidst Cole Anthony Hype

The New York Knicks are once again in a position for a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. While the hype has Cole Anthony as a potential choice, LaMelo Ball remains to be a possible option as well for the Knicks.

The anticipation for Anthony has been tremendous ever since his high school days. The product of the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program has been constantly linked to the Knicks. His natural scoring ability and aggressiveness on the backcourt is a boost the Knicks are of dire need.

While talk of Anthony heading to the Knicks has been rampant, New York has also been linked to the possibility of selecting Ball in the draft if given the opportunity.

The journey of Ball has been widely followed due to the popularity of his family. Older brother Lonzo was the second overall pick in the 2017 draft and is seen as one of the league’s young guards booming with potential. The LA Lakers traded away Ball to the New Orleans Pelicans and flourished under the new system.

Their father LaVar has risen to infamy with his controversial statements and unique business decisions. Among these includes having LaMelo take a professional route in Australia to play for the Illawarra Hawks.

The brief stint LaMelo had in the National Basketball League highlighted the youngest Ball brother’s strengths as a player. LaMelo averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the league.

With this, the Knicks could use the services of an all-around guard like LaMelo. Per Bleacher Report, Marc Berman of the New York Post shared that there are plans of directing LaMelo to New York.

“Some league sources believe the Ball camp will try to steer the 18-year-old point guard to the Knicks, though such a maneuver will seem difficult if Leon Rose's club doesn't rise into the top four in the lottery," Berman shared.

It will be interesting to see what the Knicks will do in the coming draft given their options for high-quality guards like Ball and Cole.