Report: Warriors ownership could pressure front office to select LaMelo Ball if James Wiseman is gone

The Golden State Warriors have the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

According to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, Warriors ownership may want the front office to draft LaMelo Ball if James Wiseman goes No. 1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“A source told Bleacher Report there is a rumor circulating that Warriors ownership could pressure the front office to select Ball if Wiseman is gone,” Wasserman wrote. “Another source close to Golden State indicates there are both pro-Ball and anti-Ball voices inside the front office.”

There is growing belief around the league that Wiseman will go be the No.1 selection in the upcoming draft.

Wiseman, 19, collected 19.7 points, 10.7 boards and 3.0 blocks per game at the University of Memphis. However, he only participate in three games due to recruiting controversy, which resulted in a lengthy suspension.

Nonetheless, the Warriors’ brain trust appears to want Ball should Wiseman go off the board.

Ball, 19, played for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League last season. In 12 games, Ball posted 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per contest.

The Warriors were without the services of superstar Stephen Curry for the majority of last season. In addition, sharpshooter Klay Thompson missed the entire 2019-20 campaign.