NBA GMs consider LaMelo Ball the most NBA ready right now!
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Charlotte, N.C.
LaMelo Ball actually is the best pick of the 2020 NBA Draft. Despite being selected No. 3 overall by the Charlotte Hornets, Ball, not Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman, is the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, according to NBA general managers.
NBA.com released its annual GM survey Friday in anticipation of the 2020-21 NBA season. General manager believe the Los Angeles Lakers are heavy favorites to repeat as champs, Giannis Antetokounmpo will win another MVP award and Ball will walk away with the Rookie of the Year award.
While those first two revelations probably aren’t surprising, the Ball pick could ruffle some feathers, especially among Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors fans. With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Timberwolves selected Edwards. With the No. 2 pick, Golden State took Wiseman.
Despite that, NBA general managers don’t see Edwards as a strong pick for the ROY award. He received just 7 percent of the vote. Wiseman, 29 percent, finished second in the voting behind Ball, who got 39 percent of the vote.
Ball has been impressive in limited preseason action. He’s shown off strong passing skills, and proved he can be a threat from long range, knocking down four 3-pointers during Thursday’s win over the Orlando Magic.
That thinking has 81% of GMs predicting the Lakers would repeat as champions. The Clippers are second with 11% of the vote, and out of the East the Nets and Heat picked up votes. That said, 64% of GMs predict Milwaukee will finish with the No. 1 seed in the East, with the Nets second and Heat third.
The GMs also predict a repeat for Most Valuable Player — but it is very spread out. Giannis Antetokounmpo won with 32% of the vote, with potential first-time winners next in line: Luka Doncic (21%) and Anthony Davis (18%). The wide range of GM votes here reflect the wide-open MVP race this season.
Other interesting notes from the GM Survey:
• What player would a GM want if he were starting a franchise today? Antetokounmpo and Doncic tied, each with 43% of the vote.
• Who is the best coach in the NBA, according to GMs? 1. Miami’s Erik Spoelstra got 46% of the vote after leading his team to the Finals. Toronto’s Nick Nurse and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich finished tied for second at 18%.
• What player is best poised for a breakout season? GMs picked the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr., both with 15%.
• What player forces the most adjustments from coaches? James Harden leads the list at 32%, followed by LeBron James at 29%.
• Who is the best defensive player in the NBA? Antetokounmpo won with 46% of the vote, followed by Anthony Davis at 21%.
• Which team had the best offseason? The Los Angeles Lakers won with 37% of the vote, followed by the Phoenix Suns at 22%.
• Gordon Hayward signing in Charlotte won the survey for the offseason’s most surprising move (54% of the vote).
• Which team has the most promising young core? New Orleans — with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram — ran away with the award getting 41% of the vote.
• What player would GMs want to take the game-winning shot for their team? Damian Lillard has done that for Portland more than once and has the trust of GMs, garnering 32% of the vote. Stephen Curry was second at 25%, followed by Kevin Durant at 18%.
