The 2015 NBA draft lottery is less than a month away on May 19 and promising young prospects continue to emerge as potential candidates to be drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
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On Thursday, another possible lottery pick declared for the draft. Forward Stanley Johnson announced his intention to leave Arizona for the NBA, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman:
Arizona freshman Stanley Johnson is expected to announce he is heading to the NBA at a 5 pm local news conference, source told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 23, 2015
In 38 games with the Wildcats last season, Johnson averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Johnson shot 44.6 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.
According to MyNBADraft.com’s mock draft, the Arizona product is slated to be draft in the top 10 with the Detroit Pistons taking the forward with the eighth overall pick. Although My NBA Draft has Johnson being selected with the eighth pick, the forward could work his way into the top five or at least a few picks ahead of eight by making an impression in team workouts leading up to the draft on June 25.
The Lakers are currently expected to draft at four or five in the upcoming draft. Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell continues to get mentioned as a top candidate to get the call from the Lakers if the team has the fourth pick, but Justise Winlow (Duke) and Emmanuel Mudiay (China) have also been in the conversation.
Depending on Johnson’s workout with the team, it’s possible general manager Mitch Kupchak roll the dice on the forward when the time comes in June.
Although many anticipate Johnson being a lottery pick on draft day, the forward was reportedly involved in a car accident on Thursday, via Justin Spears of Wildcats Sports:
Here is a picture of Johnson's car at the scene of the crash. (Photo credit: @JBTheJet) @WildcatSports @WildcatHoops pic.twitter.com/TSOpYdkAG6
— Justin Spears (@Hercules_52) April 24, 2015
There’s been no indication as to whether Johnson was injured in the accident on Thursday, but it’d be safe to say that this could impact his status when more details about the accident surface in the days to come.
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