When the Los Angeles Lakers earned the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft for the third consecutive year, it gave them a lot of options of what young player they want to add to the organization.
While UCLA’s Lonzo Ball is considered the favorite to land with the Lakers, Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers front office are still doing their due diligence to make sure they make the right choice.
On Thursday, the Lakers brass attended a workout for Kansas forward Josh Jackson in Sacramento, and they also have a workout set up next Tuesday for De’Aaron Fox, the point guard out of Kentucky. Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is considered by many the favorite to be the top overall pick by the Boston Celtics, but the Lakers are still trying to get a look at him as they are hoping to bring him in for either a meeting or workout.
In addition to all those prospects, the Lakers will also be working out North Carolina State point guard Dennis Smith Jr. in a group workout Sunday, via Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report:
Lakers are going to workout Dennis Smith Jr. on Sunday in a group workout
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) June 9, 2017
Smith had a very impressive freshman year for the Wolfpack, averaging 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range.
He is currently projected to be a top 10 pick, but if the Lakers were to take Smith at No. 2, it would be a bit of a reach considering the other prospects that will be available.
One way Smith could end up on the Lakers is if they decide to trade down from that second pick, perhaps to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the fifth and 10th picks. If Smith impresses the Lakers brass in his workout Saturday, then that could become a serious possibility.