With the NBA Draft Lottery quickly approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers will soon find out whether or not they will keep their top-three protected draft pick. While everyone assumes the Lakers will take one of two players if they land in the top two, there are far more questions if the team falls to the third spot.
There are a number of intriguing prospects available if the Lakers wind up third, one of whom is Cal forward Jaylen Brown. An extremely athletic forward, Brown would fit right in with the Lakers young core at small forward, a position of need for the Lakers.
With the NBA Draft Combine currently taking place in Chicago, many of the top prospects are in attendance to measure and interview with teams. Brown is one of the highest ranked prospects in attendance and spoke to the media about trying to emulate Kobe Bryant’s work ethic via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:
“I try to approach the game the same way. I admire his work ethic. They say ‘Kobe Bryant, he wakes up at 5:30 every morning,’ so I try to do the same thing and kinda just catch up to him. I know if that’s what it takes to be where he is then I’ma try to do that too.”
Brown also noted that the Lakers were one of the teams that he has met with in Chicago. If things go a certain way, Brown very well could find himself in Los Angeles with the opportunity to learn from Kobe himself.
If the Lakers were to fall to the third spot, Brown would be one of many potential prospects to get a long look. Others in play would likely be Croatian big man Dragan Bender, Oklahoma wing Buddy Hield, Kentucky guard Jamal Murray, and Providence point guard Kris Dunn.
Of all the potential prospects, Brown is likely the best fit as far as need goes for the Lakers. He had impressive measurements of just under 6’7 at the combine with nearly a seven-foot wingspan. He is extremely athletic and a very good defender, though there are questions about his jump-shooting ability.
If he is able to channel his inner-Kobe Bryant and employ that kind of work ethic to improve his weak points, whoever takes Brown could wind up with a gym.