In the 2020 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors were awarded the second overall pick in the draft. After all, the team were at the bottom of the barrel the previous season. However, because of that poor season, the Dubs landed such a high pick in the draft.
Although this draft class didn’t have a consensus number one overall pick, there were some big names in the class. Players like James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, and LaMelo Ball caught some media attention.
For the Warriors in particular, it was quite clear that James Wiseman was their choice. However, as the season has progressed, maybe taking LaMelo Ball would not have been that bad of choice either. Ball is playing phenomenal and leading the race to bag in the Rookie of the Year award this season.
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Did the Warriors wanted to draft LaMelo Ball?
Former NBA player and now NBA analyst Jalen Rose made a surprising revelation about Ball and the Dubs. He said:
“The night of the draft, the Golden State Warriors told LaMelo Ball they were going to take him [at #2] and they didn’t do it.”
The Warriors told LaMelo Ball they were taking him with the second overall pick. 👀 pic.twitter.com/iwDvm0VTQP
— theScore (@theScore) March 9, 2021
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This might come as a shock to most people, especially looking at Ball’s productions right now. The rookie is averaging a solid 15.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. But at the time of the draft, the Dubs already had their two star guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to return for the season.
However, due to another serious injury Thompson was ruled out for the season. However, the team already picked James Wiseman to improve their frontcourt. If Klay’s injury had happened a little earlier, the franchise might have gone with Ball instead of Wiseman.
Whatever be the case, right now the Warriors’ rookie James Wiseman is still developing. In fact, in the coming years he could be the star to lead the franchise to another championship alongside Steph and Klay.
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ALSO READ | Steph Curry Draft: College Career, Stats, and More
All things considered, do you believe that the Warriors should have drafted LaMelo Ball instead of James Wiseman? Let us know your thoughts about this in the comments section below.