NBA Draft: LaMelo Ball goes first in 2020 NBA Redraft

The only player in the 2020 NBA Draft’s original first-round not to play this past season, Leandro Balmoro is a talented combo guard from Argentina who is playing for Barcelona over in the Spanish Liga ACB. The Minnesota Timberwolves first took him 23rd overall in November, and despite not playing an NBA minute this past year has only increased his draft stock due to his play in Europe.

Balmoro brings a lot of the same general qualities that another Minnesota draft pick playing in Spain did. Both Balmoro and Ricky Rubio are tough point-of-attack defenders and creative passers, and both have question marks about their shooting. If Balmoro can add strength and sharpen his stroke, he would be a steal at 17.

As it is, Balmoro should be able to step in as a bench guard right away next season and has versatility and enough size to play either backcourt position. If the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to take him in this redraft, he could pair with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to give them a two-way backcourt of the future. It’s possible Balmoro doesn’t turn out, but all the signs point to a player only scraping the surface of his potential.