With the regular season finally over, the focus of the fans has now turned to the off-season, and in particular, the 2015 NBA Draft. While most are focused on the potential top-five pick and whether or not the Lakers will keep it, the team does have two picks for sure at 27 and 34.
Obviously, the chances of getting a star player are more likely at the top of the draft, but some of the best young players in the league today were taken in that range including Rudy Gobert (27th overall), Jimmy Butler (30th), Hassan Whiteside (33rd), Draymond Green (35th) and Chandler Parsons (38th).
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The Lakers had their own luck in the draft last year by acquiring Jordan Clarkson with the 46th pick and this draft could be no different considering how deep it is. Players like R.J. Hunter, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Tyus Jones have been mentioned for the Lakers, but it is just as likely that they won’t last until the Lakers are back on the board.
So with that said, we’re going to take a look at five prospects who are going a little under-the-radar right now, but could wind up being excellent choices for the Lakers with their 27th or 34th pick.
BEGIN SLIDESHOW: Five Underrated Prospects The Lakers Should Consider At 27 And 34
Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
The prototypical ‘three-and-D’ wing, Justin Anderson is one of the best individual defenders in the entire draft and combines that with a vastly improved jumper that could allow him to be one of the steals of the draft.
Anderson has always had an NBA-ready body. Standing 6’6 with an impressive 6’11 wingspan and excellent speed and athleticism to boot, Anderson has all of the physical tools a team could want in a wing player. He is a lockdown defender who takes pride on that end. He has the strength and lateral quickness to guard three positions.
The one worry for Anderson had been his jump shot. However, he was one of the best shooters in the country in his junior season, knocking down 45 percent of his threes. The question now becomes whether this last season was an anomaly. He is also not a great shot creator for himself or others. He is an average passer and struggles to get his own shot in one-on-one situations.
Anderson likely won’t be a star, but he is exactly the type of role player the Lakers need. The Lakers can no longer afford to rely on Wesley Johnson at the small forward position. Anderson could step in and become a big piece of the team immediately.
CONTINUE: Five Underrated Prospects The Lakers Should Consider At 27 And 34
Delon Wright, PG, Utah
With excellent size and a good feel for the point guard position, Delon Wright is one of the more overlooked prospects despite being a second-team All-American last season.
Wright is an excellent all-around player who rebounds well for the position and is an excellent passer who uses his height (6’5) to his advantage in seeing over the defense. He’s not explosive athletically, but is very quick and does an excellent job at changing speeds. He has a number of fakes, shifts, and other moves in his arsenal that allow him to be effective in getting to the basket.
Defensively is where he really shines as he uses his quick feet and excellent instincts to his advantage. He averaged over two steals a game as a senior and would immediately be able to hound opposing point guards up and down the court at the next level.
Questions about Wright tend to focus on his shooting, especially off the dribble, as well as his age, as he will be 23 by the time the draft comes around. While legitimate concerns, they should not be enough to keep Wright off the Lakers draft board where he could provide a different feel from the more offensive-minded Jordan Clarkson.
CONTINUE: Five Underrated Prospects The Lakers Should Consider At 27 And 34
Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
A young player with plenty of room to grow, Christian Wood may take a little time to develop, but could be worth the wait down the road if the Lakers show some patience.
Wood has great size for the position (6’11, 7’2 Wingspan) and is an excellent athlete to boot. He does great work on boards averaging 10 per game, as well as an impressive 2.6 blocks per night as well showing his potential as a rim protector. Offensively, Wood has a very promising perimeter game shooting 45 percent on two-point jump shots as a sophomore and may even develop range out to the three-point line.
That is also where some questions begin to arise about him as he has a tendency to float around the perimeter at times. Scouts would like to see him on the block more, but he will need to continue to develop his thin frame as well. At only 220 pounds he can be pushed around in the post and that won’t fly in the NBA.
Overall, Wood is a bit of a project, but has a very intriguing combination of skills. He combines the defensive and rebounding prowess of Ed Davis with the improving perimeter game of Jordan Hill. With the Lakers possibly losing one or both this summer, getting someone like Wood in the fold could be perfect and may be a worthwhile investment.
CONTINUE: Five Underrated Prospects The Lakers Should Consider At 27 And 34
Tyler Harvey, SG, Eastern Washington
Remember when Byron Scott said that the Lakers would shoot more three-pointers if they had more shooters? Well that would no longer be an excuse with Tyler Harvey in purple and gold.
Harvey was one of the best scorers in all of college basketball, and one of the top shooters as well, despite being one of the highest usage players in the nation. Though he was at a small school, Harvey didn’t only feast on lesser competition. He scored 24 points against SMU, 25 against Indiana, 31 against Cal, and 27 in the NCAA Tournament against Georgetown.
He shot 43 percent from deep while taking over nine threes a game which is Steph Curry-like. But even with his unlimited range, he also has a mid-range game with an excellent floater. He is more quick than he is athletic, but he knows how to get to his spots. He also averaged only two turnovers despite always having the ball in his hand and playing 37 minutes a night, a testament to his decision making and high basketball IQ.
The concerns on Harvey have to do with his lack of size for the two-guard position. He also will need some work on the defensive end as he is definitely a negative on that end. That being said, his ability to score the ball is something few in this draft can match and for a Lakers team that struggled with shot creators, he could be a perfect fit.
CONTINUE: Five Underrated Prospects The Lakers Should Consider At 27 And 34
Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
On a team as loaded as the Kentucky Wildcats were, especially in the front court, it is difficult to get a lot of shine. But don’t let that allow you to overlook big man Dakari Johnson, who could have a long NBA career as a solid center off the bench who knows his role.
Johnson is a legit seven-footer who can get some buckets down low when necessary, is a good rebounder, and can change some shots just from being around the rim. He is a physical presence down low who has no delusions of running around on the perimeter.
He isn’t a great athlete, and his rim protection skills could be better, but he does have a decent knowledge of where to be on the defensive end. He also remains a little unpolished with some of his offensive moves and could stand to get in better shape, but that is something that can be solved by the time he gets into training camp.
Lakers fans have been asking why Robert Sacre has been on the team for a couple of years now. Someone like Johnson could give the Lakers exactly what fans were hoping they could get from Sacre, a rotation big to patrol the paint, grab some rebounds and get easy buckets when necessary.
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