Los Angeles Lakers fans everywhere are eagerly anticipating the 2015 NBA Draft. The team currently has an 82.8 percent chance of keeping its top-five protected pick and there are some excellent prospects to choose from if that happens.
— Think You Know Everything About Kobe Bryant? Take The Ultimate Kobe Quiz! —
Four of the top five prospects have already declared their intentions to enter the draft and the fifth one has officially joined them as Ohio State freshman D’Angelo Russell will has declared according to Paul Biancardi of ESPN:
This was a hard decision because I knew I could come back and play with my teammates who I love, and to be coached by coach Thad Matta again would have been awesome, but at the same time I wanted to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA,” Russell told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “I know what I am capable of and the sky’s the limit with effort. I know I have a lot to work on.”
A 6’5″ combo guard, Russell has evoked comparisons to the likes of James Harden and Brandon Roy. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and five assists per game for the Buckeyes while also shooting just under 45 percent from the field and over 40 percent from deep.
Russell is currently the fourth ranked prospect by both DraftExpress.com and Chad Ford of ESPN. Assuming the Lakers hold on to their pick, he will be one of many players the team takes a serious look at as he has the skills to contribute immediately and possibly give the Lakers their backcourt of the future along with Jordan Clarkson.
[divide]2015 Lakers Exit Interviews: Byron Scott