Los Angeles Lakers: Realistic predictions for team’s 2017-18 season

2. Lonzo Ball is runner-up for Rookie of the Year

It’s disappointing — I know. All of the hype surrounding Lonzo Ball right now also makes it unfathomable that he could fail to win the Rookie of the Year award. And yet, that’s exactly what I’m predicting he’ll do.

Realistically, this is a fairly loaded rookie class. Based on what we know right now, you could make a legitimate case for at least 10 players. That’s not taking into consideration that, once injuries start to pile up, other players could steal the spotlight. I mean, just look at last year — no one expected Malcolm Brogdon, a second round pick, to win the award.

Los Angeles Lakers

While I’m predicting he won’t win it, he will come very close.

Ball will be given every opportunity to be the star of the show for the Lakers in 2017-18. He was the starting point guard the second he was drafted, and will play plenty of minutes on a nightly basis. The offense will run through him, and he’ll make his fair share of big defensive plays as well.

Unfortunately, when it all comes down to it, it’s going to be someone else who walks away with the hardware. The early favorite actually appears to be Dennis Smith Jr., the Dallas Mavericks’ new starting point guard. He’s a bigger offensive threat than Ball, and has the insane highlight-reel athleticism to win over voters.

I could also see Ben Simmons making a run, but Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz will pull too much of the attention away from him. Voters could also lean towards John Collins, who figures to play a huge role for a rebuilding Atlanta Hawks team.

Either way, Ball won’t have his named etched on the next iteration of the Rookie of the Year award. He will receive plenty of votes, though.