Mock NBA Draft 3.0: Where will LaMelo Ball be selected?

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks is seen in a compression boot as he watches on from the bench during the warm-up before the round 11 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United at WIN Entertainment Centre on December 16, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /

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NBA draft, LaMelo Ball Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images /

. Forward. Chicago Bulls. Deni Avdija. 4. player. 24

Deni Avdija makes too much sense for the Chicago Bulls. Ultimately, he may make sense for teams even higher if they want to be so bold. The scoring potential is that real. He is raw and will need to develop but he has the tools and ability to play like a guy new coach Billy Donovan is very familiar with: Danilo Gallinari.

This is the ceiling for Avdija and if he is able to hit it then this pick is a no-brainer. He is a versatile offensive threat and can both shoot on the perimeter and cut to the basket. He can play a smart pick-and-roll game with Zach LaVine and could unlock something for the borderline All-Star that the team was previously missing.

Cleveland Cavaliers. Obi Toppin. 5. player. 156. . Forward

For a team that loves size and may be losing Tristan Thompson to free agency this offseason, Obi Toppin can slide right in and play his role perfectly. The Cleveland Cavaliers picked in the top 10 three years in a row but are still in a position to take the best player available.

Toppin was the best player in college basketball last year and while he may not have the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft the floor is high for him. In college, he averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while being hyper-efficient. He can stretch the floor and create for his teammates. His defensive his abysmal, so he already feels like a Cav. The local connection having played at Dayton is just icing on the cake.

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