The opinion of LaMelo Ball within NBA circles has reportedly changed following his recent performance in the NBL preseason.

Ball had 19 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists against the defending-chamipion Perth Wildcats.

"If he keeps this up, I don't see any way he isn't in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick," one NBA executive told ESPN. "He completely changed my perception of the type of prospect he is, and all of the background info I gathered here from his coaches and teammates paint a very different story of what I thought about him off the court as well."

"He reminds me of Luka Doncic," a scout said. "Just in terms of his size, his feel and his creativity."

Ball also displayed an ability to control the game.

"He plays with incredible pace. He's never sped up. He's never rattled by anything that's thrown at him," the same scout said. "You're expecting something magical to happen every time he has the ball. He sees everything. He can make every pass with either hand off a live dribble. His style of play is tailor-made for the NBA game, especially if you surround him with shooting and better finishers."

Former NBA player Jermaine Jackson has taken over most of the responsibilities involved in managing LaMelo as his trainer and mentor.

The Houston Rockets made a suggestion in the past that the NBA move the free agency ahead of the draft on its calendar. At the time, the idea received little support but there appears to be a growing sentiment for the concept.

"One other factor that I think has gained more intrigue among teams (and) executives, and the Rockets brought this into a meeting is flipping the draft and free agency that would allow these conversations that at this point are not legal to basically take the framework of what free agency works in practice, which is teams are able to talk over a longer period of time with free agents," said Adrian Wojnarowski.

"But if they just flip the draft and free agency, which there is more support for than maybe even a year or two ago, the problem is it has to be collectively bargained with the players' association."

"While it wasn't even seriously voted on when it was first brought up, more and more people are bringing it up to me," said Brian Windhorst. "I do think it's an idea that is gaining steam. I just think in general, the draft to a certain extent gets short shrift because The Finals come right up on it."

Windhorst added he believes there is ample time on the NBA's calendar to accommodate the switch.

Kentucky has received a commitment for the class of 2021 from Terrence Clarke.

Clarke is the No. 4 prospect in the class of 2021, but he is expected to reclassify for the class of 2020.

Clarke also considered Boston College, Duke, Memphis, Texas Tech and UCLA.

Clarke's expected reclassification likely takes Kentucky out of the running for five-star wings Jalen Green and Joshua Christopher.