2017 NBA Mock Draft: Post-Lottery edition

UCLA. Lonzo Ball. 2. player. 20. I want to be a contrarian here, but Lonzo Ball and the Lakers are meant to be. That has nothing to do with LaVar and everything to do with Lonzo. The Lakers are a professional team that can handle any antics from LaVar. That being said, he was not a problem at UCLA. In Lonzo, the Lakers get the LA kid, someone who has played basketball nearly his whole life, and a player whose intelligence and selflessness adds to what Luke Walton is trying to build. <p>By keeping their 2017 pick – and 2019 as a result of that – the Lakers can continue to build on a promising young core. Building on that young core with Lonzo Ball makes a lot of sense. Ball could be an absolute stud, but it has to be the right fit. Los Angeles is one of the better fits out there for him. Not to mention, he’ll be a happier camper playing in Los Angeles.</p> <p>Contrary to what many say, Ball is a great fit with D’Angelo Russell. Where Russell thrives on ball and in the pick-and-roll, Ball can be a secondary creator. Additionally, playing off the ball allows Lonzo to exercise his talent as a cutter and can still stretch opponents out because of his three-point range.</p> <p>If Ball can transform UCLA with such a low usage rate as a teenager, just imagine what he’s capable of in a few years time playing for his hometown team.</p>. PG/SG