NBA Draft 2017: Lakers, Suns, and Nets all vying for lottery position

Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts as he walks back up court against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts as he walks back up court against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Closing Thoughts

In the wake of March Madness, scouts for NBA teams got a little bit of a better look at some of the top prospects. Out of them, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball tops the list of players that actually made the tournament.

Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is a potential top pick over Ball, but the Huskies didn’t contend in the tournament.

For Ball, the UCLA Bruins were seeded third in their part of the bracket, making it all the way to the Sweet 16. Unfortunately for them, Kentucky got the best of them in their rematch.

Whether the Lakers will draft him or not depends not only on the eventual draft order, but also whether or not they think he’s worth it.

Ball’s father, LaVar, has continually made either bold or ridiculous claims during interviews with the media. He’s also asked for a shoe deal for his sons starting at $1 billion — yes, with a “b”.

Los Angeles will find themselves right in the thick of things, but expect this to be one of the last times, if not the last time, that they depend on the draft lottery for future success.

Next: Could Lakers End Up Drafting De'Aaron Fox?

Their young core is all in place, they just need one or two more pieces to the puzzle.