‘Warriors were going to draft LaMelo Ball but drafted James Wiseman instead’: Jalen Rose teases a revelation on how the Warriors went back on a promise to the Ball brother

According to former Toronto Raptors star Jalen Rose, LaMelo Ball was very close to playing for the Golden State Warriors.

As per Rose, the Warriors had promised to draft LaMelo with their second pick. LaMelo even indicated the same in a video before the draft. Rose stated how the Warriors could have an addition to the “Splash Brothers” with LaMelo joining the team.

Jalen Rose claimed:

“I know they could have taken LaMelo, but I know why they didn’t. And by the way, the night of the draft, the Golden State Warriors told LaMelo Ball they were going to take him next and they didn’t do it. They told him they was taking him and they didn’t do it. I was on the phone.”

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‘James Wiseman over LaMelo Ball was the correct choice for the Warriors’: Jalen Rose

It is still very early to tell if the Warriors made the right choice by picking Wiseman over Ball or not. Although, Jalen Rose was very appreciative towards the Warriors front office for drafting James Wiseman. Jalen explained why he thought by drafting the 7 foot, 19-year-old, the Warriors did the right thing:

“Wiseman was the choice. Wiseman is the choice. They need height. When you’ve got Draymond playing point-center. They need height. They need tall men to play against Anthony Davis, The Joker [Nikola Jokic], [Joel] Embiid, Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Like, they need height. And so he was the right pick for them but that didn’t stop them from telling LaMelo Ball they were taking him.”

Jalen Rose then added how he was on the call during the Draft night.

“Just so you know, right after they got off the phone with LaMelo Ball’s team and telling them they were going to take him, I was a part of the next call. As a matter of fact, I sent an internal text to our producer on ‘Countdown’ and told them that. And then 3, 2, 1, the pick happens and they didn’t do it. True story.”

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With Klay Thompson out this year, one could easily think that by letting Melo go in the draft, the Warriors did the wrong thing. Although, once Thompson will return on the court, it would’ve been tough for the Warriors to start LaMelo.

With the lack of length in the Warriors lineup, James Wiseman has been a great pick for the Warriors. He has been in outstanding form under the mentorship of Draymond Green and Stephen Curry for the Warriors, averaging 11.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.