As the NBA Draft draws closer, the constant question being asked is if the Los Angeles Lakers should grab a big man or a guard with the second overall pick. There have been reports that the Lakers are torn between Jahlil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell, and Emmanuel Mudiay assuming Karl-Anthony Towns is taken first.
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Many believe that Okafor has the edge as teams tend to favor size on draft day and the Lakers have a history of dominant big men. According to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, however, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak says the team will draft the best player available:
Kupchak: you don’t take a big just because it’s a big. He cited the Michael Jordan example. Usually take best player regardless of position.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 9, 2015
Kupchak also added that he believes Jordan Clarkson could play with one of the guards if the Lakers do go that route via Trudell:
Kupchak said he thinks Jordan Clarkson could play with “one of these guards in the Draft” if LAL go that direction.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 9, 2015
The Lakers will have a big decision to make when the time comes on June 25. All three players have the potential to be stars in the NBA and the Lakers will work diligently to ensure that they make the right choice on draft night.
While the league has shifted to more of a guard-driven league, plenty of big men continue to make their mark in today’s game. The Lakers worked out Mudiay on Saturday, Russell on Monday, and Okafor on Tuesday, so there is no doubt that the team will be well informed when the draft rolls around.
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