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Player Comparisons for 3 Pistons’ Draft Targets

By Austen Flores

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures to the crowd in the final minutes of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures to the crowd in the final minutes of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
LaMelo Ball of the Hawks in action (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /

LaMelo Ball

NBA Player Comparison: Lonzo Ball

This may be too easy of a comparison, but the Ball brothers present a unique combination of size, basketball IQ and playmaking ability that the league rarely sees at the point guard position.

The Pistons are in need of a point guard with the departure of Reggie Jackson and Derrick Rose entering the last year of his deal, and LaMelo would instantly provide a spark to a franchise desperately in search for one.

While playing for Illawarra in the NBL Australia this past season, Lamelo average 17 points, 6.8 assists and 7.6 rebounds per game. In his lone season at UCLA, Lonzo averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game.

2020 NBA Draft Profile: LaMelo Ball. light. Related Story

Similarly to his older brother, LaMelo will need to improve his jump shot in order to reach his full potential. Both have unusual releases, but Lonzo has already improved greatly from beyond the arc – up from 30.5 percent his rookie season to 38.3 percent in year three.

LaMelo will often be able to use his 6’7″ frame to an advantage finishing around the rim and seeing over defenders, however he’ll need to improve his shot selection, as he only shot 39 percent from the field this year.

If Lamelo can eventually take a similar jump in shooting ability, it will only open things up for the rest of his game. His offensive ceiling is much higher than Lonzo’s, but both players need to have the right players around them to thrive.

Could the Pistons build that team with Ball as their floor leader?