One of the biggest tools in these beginning steps of the resurgence of the Los Angeles Lakers has been the NBA Draft. The Lakers have been excellent in finding great pieces, especially later on in the draft, and they will look to continue that this season.
L.A. has two picks in the 2018 NBA Draft. They acquired what amounted to the 25th pick in the draft from a trade-deadline deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers this year. They also acquired the Denver Nuggets’ second-round pick (47th overall) in a trade with the Chicago Bulls for Jose Calderon in 2016.
Now the process really begins as, according to Bill Oram of the OC Register, the Lakers are holding their first pre-draft workouts with a group of six players including Louisville’s Deng Adel:
Draft workouts are underway for the Lakers. Today they are bringing in a group of six players, including Louisville forward Deng Adel. Lakers own 25th and 47th picks.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) May 3, 2018
Adel is an interesting player as he was one of the top high school recruits in his class, but now isn’t even among ESPN’s Top 100 prospects three years later. He is a long, athletic forward who led Louisville in scoring at 15 points per game.
Per Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet, the group also includes Utah’s Sedrick Barefield and Deng’s Louisville teammate Anas Mahmoud, among others:
Draft workouts for the Lakers today:
Sedrick Barefield (Utah), Hayden Dalton (Wyoming), Marcus Foster (Creighton), Louisville teammates Deng Adel and Anas Mahmoud, and last but certainly not least, Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) May 3, 2018
The Lakers, of course, aren’t worried about anyone’s rankings but their own and they will work hard get everything together before draft day comes. They are beginning to gain a reputation for their ability to draft well and with good reason.
Finding pieces such as Jordan Clarkson (46th overall), Larry Nance Jr. (27th), Kyle Kuzma (27th), and Josh Hart (30th) has been crucial to the growth of the team.
Now the process for the 2018 NBA Draft has begun and the Lakers will look to bring two more great pieces to continue with the development of the roster.
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