With the status of their first-round selection still unknown for the time being, the only draft pick the Los Angeles Lakers know they have is their second-round selection at number 32 overall. As such the Lakers will work out a number of different prospects who could be potential picks in that range.
Indiana’s senior point guard Yogi Ferrell isn’t necessarily expected to be taken even that high, but he is an intriguing prospect and according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Ferrell has a workout set up with the Lakers:
Yogi Ferrell workout sched:LAL (5-16), LAC (18), Suns (20), Utah (22), Chi (23), Atl (25), Mavs (26), Det (31), Wiz (6-2), Nets (8), NY (10)
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 9, 2016
Though Ferrell is one of the smaller point guards in this class, listed at only 6’0 and 170 pounds, he makes up for his lack of size with outstanding quickness and athleticism. Ferrell is a smart player who is a good decision-maker and excellent outside shooter, making over 40 percent of his three-pointers last season.
Ferrell’s size will continue to be a question mark, however, as he struggles to finish in the paint against bigger players. It also hurts him defensively as players can simply shoot over him and he doesn’t always give maximum effort on that end.
Whether or not Ferrell would be a good fit for the Lakers remains to be seen. The team already has plenty of backcourt players with D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Lou Williams all being hailed as core pieces. Additionally, Brazilian point guard Marcelo Huertas could also return to the team next season.
If the Lakers were to take Ferrell, it would likely involve the team acquiring another draft pick later in the second round as 32 seems high for Ferrell. DraftExpress.com ranks him as the 66th best prospect while ESPN’s Chad Ford has him ranked 99th.
As a senior, Ferrell averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.