Debunked Rumor: LaMelo Ball spotted in Boston

[gift]

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but we do need to realize that this isn't a normal #2 pick. Firstly, it's not a relatively highly valued draft. Secondly, as everything has been with Golden State for the past few years, the team owning the second pick currently is an anomaly for that situation.

That being said, it's hard to imagine Ball being the main target of a potential trade there. Maybe he slips to 7-10 and the Celtics have options in that range?

[CFAN38]

He wasn't here for the Celtics.  They can't work anyone out yet.  He was here for Puma, who apparently has a headquarters or some office in Boston.

DX saved the day by clarifying this on Twitter,

I am a believer in Ball's NBA talent and think he is the clear #1 prospect in this class. With that said I am not thrilled with the long term fit of Ball with Boston. Lamelo is going to need to be the primary initiator. The Cetlics system and personal do not require this type of facilitator.

Not that assists are the end all creation stat but

reg season

Kemba 4.8
Tatum  3.0
Smart  4.9
Hayward 4.1

Post season

Kemba 5.3
Tatum  4.3
Smart  3.9
Hayward  injured

This is why I am higher on the Cs drafting more of a scoring PG type like Maxey or Anthony. With the ideal being a trade of for Hayes who I think will function very well on and off the ball.

[footey]

He wasn't here for the Celtics.  They can't work anyone out yet.  He was here for Puma, who apparently has a headquarters or some office in Boston.

DX saved the day by clarifying this on Twitter,

I am a believer in Ball's NBA talent and think he is the clear #1 prospect in this class. With that said I am not thrilled with the long term fit of Ball with Boston. Lamelo is going to need to be the primary initiator. The Cetlics system and personal do not require this type of facilitator.

Not that assists are the end all creation stat but

reg season

Kemba 4.8
Tatum  3.0
Smart  4.9
Hayward 4.1

Post season

Kemba 5.3
Tatum  4.3
Smart  3.9
Hayward  injured

This is why I am higher on the Cs drafting more of a scoring PG type like Maxey or Anthony. With the ideal being a trade of for Hayes who I think will function very well on and off the ball.

I am skeptical of both Maxey and Anthony succeeding in the NBA, and would not use 14th pick on either of them.

[Smartacus]

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but we do need to realize that this isn't a normal #2 pick. Firstly, it's not a relatively highly valued draft. Secondly, as everything has been with Golden State for the past few years, the team owning the second pick currently is an anomaly for that situation.

That being said, it's hard to imagine Ball being the main target of a potential trade there. Maybe he slips to 7-10 and the Celtics have options in that range?

Great point.

This is a draft without a consensus 1-3 pick. Would not be surprised at all if the best player in 5 year was drafted 7-13th. Also the team picking number 2 is almost never 1 piece away from a championship.

The standard draft knowledge cant really be applied in this situation. The closest example I can think of is the Cavs trading Wiggins for Kevin Love.

Hayward isn't the player Love was at the time but this pick isn't worth anywhere near as much as Wiggins was. I could definitely see GS viewing Hayward as their best option in this market.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, at least his Pops has been quieter.

[CFAN38]

He wasn't here for the Celtics.  They can't work anyone out yet.  He was here for Puma, who apparently has a headquarters or some office in Boston.

DX saved the day by clarifying this on Twitter,

I am a believer in Ball's NBA talent and think he is the clear #1 prospect in this class. With that said I am not thrilled with the long term fit of Ball with Boston. Lamelo is going to need to be the primary initiator. The Cetlics system and personal do not require this type of facilitator.

Not that assists are the end all creation stat but

reg season

Kemba 4.8
Tatum  3.0
Smart  4.9
Hayward 4.1

Post season

Kemba 5.3
Tatum  4.3
Smart  3.9
Hayward  injured

This is why I am higher on the Cs drafting more of a scoring PG type like Maxey or Anthony. With the ideal being a trade of for Hayes who I think will function very well on and off the ball.

I am skeptical of both Maxey and Anthony succeeding in the NBA, and would not use 14th pick on either of them.

I am fine with either one at #14

Anthony, I view as the greater boom or bust prospect. He needs to show the athleticism he had as a high-school player is still there and that last seasons injury's hampered his burst. I'm less confident that he will be an efficient scorer and not just a microwave bench scorer. The hope with Anthony is that given NBA floor spacing he flourishes as an on and off ball scorer.

Maxey, I am really confident in his ability to be a playoff level rotational player and possible future starter. Having roughly the same frame as Avery Bradley but at nearly 200bs and being a very engaged defender will make him a guard who isn't exploitable in playoffs. His defense will be the foundation of his success. On offense he was a very good finisher in college and shot the ball much better from outside in AAU then at Kentucky. If like Smart, JB, and Rozier the Cs can develop his shot he could become a very effective 3 level scorer.       

[hwangjini_1]

Jonathan Givony
@DraftExpress
Source says LaMelo Ball was in Boston for a meeting with sneaker company Puma, not the Celtics, as some online reports have indicated. In-person pre-draft workouts/meetings with teams are not permitted at the moment.