@BeddieKU23
I agree with @mayjay that with the right group around him, yes, he was worth it. This draft class was very good, but the downside is that there wasn’t one absolute franchise carrying player in the group. There wasn’t a Lebron or Durant or someone on that level. There were a lot of guys just a notch below - but none that were on that elite level.
Because of that, every draftee is going to be successful, depending on the situation. If Fultz, or Jackson or anyone else in the lottery. Justin Patton, for instance, could end up being very successful by teaming with a team that won’t put a ton of pressure on him, but will still get him playing time to develop in Minnesota. Jayson Tatum might struggle to find minutes on the Celtics. Injuries could derail anyone.
If the Lakers build around Ball correctly (shooters, an elite scorer and a good rolling big - Paul George, DeAndre Jordan and JJ Redick could work in those roles) he will succeed because his best skill is passing. If the Lakers try to turn him into John Wall or Isaiah Thomas, he will fail because he’s not a primary scorer.