The most pertinent question after Thursday's draft lottery is who the Minnesota Timberwolves select with the No. 1 pick. But there will also be plenty of discussion about where LaMelo Ball goes.
Ball is arguably the most high-profile talent available. The former five-star recruit played professionally in Australia last season where he averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals - albeit on a brief 12-game stint - and was named the National Basketball League's Rookie of the Year.
With Minnesota likely picking Georgia standout Anthony Edwards first overall, and the Golden State Warriors already equipped with one of the best backcourts in the league, Ball's outlook is less obvious. There is a chance someone will still choose him early, but some lottery teams look like a better fit for the 19-year-old guard.
They may not be his likeliest destinations, but here are the best landing spots for Ball.
Charlotte Hornets (No. 3)
The Charlotte Hornets are starving for a franchise star. The Timberwolves and Warriors already have a stable core, but losing Kemba Walker to free agency in 2019 still haunts the Hornets. Terry Rozier and Devonte' Graham played well together during the regular season, but Charlotte mustered a 23-42 record through 65 games. Ball would immediately be a sizable upgrade at the position and give the team that missing foundational piece to build around.
Potential backcourt congestion aside, taking Ball should be the Hornets' priority anyway. Charlotte also hasn't had much success with recent top-10 selections - a dubious streak Ball would likely end. Since taking Walker ninth in 2011, the Hornets' draft picks within the top 10 have been Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (second, 2012), Cody Zeller (fourth, 2013), Noah Vonleh (ninth, 2014), and Frank Kaminsky (ninth, 2015).
If Ball's still available at No. 3, the Hornets don't need to overthink it.
Detroit Pistons (No. 7)
Realistically, the Detroit Pistons dropped too low in the lottery and essentially have zero chance at Ball with the seventh pick. However, the Pistons might be one of the best fits for the former UCLA commit. It just might take some draft-night magic to make it happen.
Almost every team picking ahead of Detroit has a long-term solution at point guard. However, the Pistons' best ball-handler is a soon-to-be 32-year-old Derrick Rose, who started just 15 of 50 games this past season - plus he doesn't mesh well with the club's new rebuilding timeline. Rose is also entering the final year of his contract in 2020-21 and - if the team doesn't ship him to a contender before the deadline - could head elsewhere in free agency next year.
All of this sets up Detroit and Ball as a near-perfect match. The Pistons need someone new to run their offense, and learning under a vet like Rose - even if it's temporary - would facilitate Ball's transition to the NBA.
The biggest obstacle is finding a way to move up via trade, which would likely require the Warriors' assistance.
New York Knicks (No. 8)
The "basketball gods" spurned the New York Knicks in the lottery for a second consecutive year. After missing out on both Zion Williamson and Ja Morant in 2019, the Knicks landed this year's eighth overall pick despite a 37.2% chance to choose in the top four. This year's drop isn't as devastating - the 2020 draft class is generally overall weaker than 2019 - but it could cost the Knicks the game-changing ball-handler they're sorely missing.
Not only would Ball be the ideal on-court addition to a maturing Knicks roster, but he might also relish the pressure of playing in New York's intense spotlight - a trait not usually found in rookies with lofty expectations. His father LaVar Ball is outspoken about his desire to see his youngest son end up in New York, and in July it was reported that some teams believe the 6-foot-7 guard also prefers to start his NBA career at Madison Square Garden.
Like the Pistons, however, the Knicks will need to trade up if they have their eyes set on Ball. That will be easier said than done, but it's also a resounding way to usher in the Leon Rose era.
