LaMelo Ball: New York Knicks point guard of the future?

New York Knicks fans could be getting their point guard of the future in next year’s NBA Draft.

The year is 2021. The PA announcer at Madison Square Garden is shouting player introductions over the loudspeaker on Opening Night. The crowd jumps to their feet, cheering loudly for the New York Knicks rookie sensation.

“At point guard from Chino Hills, California,… LaMelo Ball.”

Is this merely a premonition or just wishful thinking by a longtime suffering Knicks fan?

LaMelo, the youngest brother of New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, is currently enjoying a successful campaign playing for the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL – Australia League. He is teammates with fellow NBA Draft prospect RJ Hampton, who would also be a welcomed addition.

With the current stable of David Fizdale’s point guards struggling mightily to impress the New York fanbase during its 1-6 stretch, whether it be due to injury, underperformance, or grieving the loss of a loved one, uninspiring basketball is quickly becoming synonymous with the Knicks brand.

While I still believe Frank Ntilikina has the potential to become a modern-day Manu Ginobili, the Frenchman, who had an impressive run during the FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer, will not last much longer in a Knicks uniform. Sadly the front-office tandem of Scott Perry and Steve Mills has failed to harness his full potential.

RJ Barrett, the Canadian-born product selected third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke, has found himself thrust into point guard duties for Fizdale’s squad. While the media have highly criticized load management, the ‘Maple Mamba’ certainly has ball-dominant qualities that allow for a larger lineup to be on the court. However, the 19-year-old shouldn’t be tasked with running an offense. That’s why the Knicks need LaMelo Ball’s dynamic playmaking abilities.

No one has questioned LaMelo’s playmaking abilities. Since he was 15-years-old, video highlights have circulated on YouTube of the youngest Ball’s crafty passes and unique court awareness. Not only is he an excellent passer, but his offensive prowess is also off the charts.

Since he was enrolled at Chino Hills High School in California, the one-time five-star UCLA commit has shot many guarded and uncontested three-pointers well beyond the arc (Steph Curry range). He’s also explosive in driving to the rim.

The 6-foot-7 shooter is currently averaging 13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists over 29.9 minutes per game overseas. These are substantial numbers from the point guard position. He knows how to run an offense. Let’s see it in the bright lights of New York City!

While “Lob City” ended years ago when Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan departed the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s time “Lob City” gets rebranded on the East Coast with LaMelo and Mitchell Robinson connecting for some highlight-worthy assists and dunks.

Just like he did for his oldest brother Lonzo to get drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, will LaMelo’s loudmouth father Lavar speak it into existence?

It will take some blatant tanking to snag LaMelo, but the current Knicks roster is built to get a top-three pick once again, considering the majority of the roster is on one-year deals.

All aboard the James Dolan tank express!

Some fans are already having fun thinking about the possibility of LaMelo playing with the Knicks utilizing NBA 2K.