NBA Rumors: Wizards Appear Determined To Draft LaMelo Ball

The Washington Wizards are one several NBA teams waiting to see if the current season will push through. They are at 9th spot of the Eastern Conference but catching up to the tail-end teams (Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic) may no longer be feasible. They have 18 games left in their regular-season schedule. But no thanks to the COVID-19, there is a chance that the league may tweak schedules - including possibly scrapping the remainder of the regular season.

Looking ahead, it may be in the best interest of the Wizards to focus on the 2020 NBA Draft. Critics feel that it is a pretty lean class although there are several names worth checking out. That includes Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, Obi Toppin, and LaMelo Ball. Of that list, it appears Washington is seriously considering getting the brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball.

According to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports, the Wizards plan to send multiple people to check the18-year-old Ball in the NBL. Aside from that, they have allegedly hired a full-time scout in Australia in the offseason to keep tabs with Ball. He played 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks before being sidelined with a foot injury. He averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.

Ball is one of the top names that could go at number one. The Golden State Warriors are favorites to have that privilege although Washington could be lucky enough to take that away from them. Tankathon reveals that the Wizards have a 4.5 percent chance of landing the no. 1 pick. But then again, Washington does not need the top pick. For as long as they are in the top 4, Ball should be within reach.

In a previous post, it was mentioned that the Warriors are likely to draft Anthony Edwards. James Wiseman, a big man, would have made sense but needs heavy improvement to make him a dominant player. Ball is an option but the odds of choice are to take Edwards over the son of LaVar Ball.

For the Wizards, interest in Ball could be more of insurance in the backcourt. So far, Bradley Beal has been the only one holding up the fort. John Wall is still recuperating from an injury so Ball could bring in added firepower for the meantime. Once he returns, Ball could team up with Wall in the backcourt with Beal likely to slide down to small forward. That would be a trio of gunners that coach Scott Brooks would have under his watch.