The 2020 NBA Draft apparently had some last-minute drama involving LaMelo Ball and the Golden State Warriors. At least according to former NBA player and now ESPN analyst Jalen Rose. According to Rose, the Warriors front office reached out to LaMelo and told him that they were picking him next after the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Anthony Edwards as the first overall selection.
But as we all know, that didn’t happen. The Warriors went with a young big man in James Wiseman while LaMelo landed as the third overall pick as he was snagged by the Charlotte Hornets. And Rose, apparently, has the inside scoop, which he teased on the Jalen and Jacoby Show.
“The night of the draft, the Golden State Warriors told LaMelo Ball they were going to take him next, and they didn’t do it. That story going to come out soon.” Rose said on the .
What makes the story a bit more interesting is that LaMelo was quite open to the thought of heading to the Bay Area and signing with the Warriors as he was seen in a video hinting that he was going to be picked at the no. 2 spot (via BasketballNews.com).
Jalen Rose on the @JalenandJacoby show “The night of the draft, the Golden State Warriors told LaMelo Ball they were going to take him next, and they didn’t do it. That story going to come out soon.”
(Video of LaMelo hinting he was going no.2 👀)pic.twitter.com/aTOHJTr8X6
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) March 9, 2021
LaMelo, who’s been balling out with the Hornets, would’ve formed a new Big Three with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson if the Warriors did end up picking him. He’s been able to bring energy, creativity, and swagger to a Hornets crew that seemed all but done prior to this season. The flamboyant guard could’ve brought all those to the Warriors, who are having a topsy-turvy campaign.
The 19-year-0ld LaMelo Ball has started 15 games for the Hornets and has been huge for coach James Borrego down the stretch, helping his squad climb all the way to the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors, on the other hand, are sitting on their Wiseman project as he has yet to really make a big splash.
