Topic: We wonder which prospects fans are hoping to see fall to the Los Angeles Lakers at either the 27th or 34th pick in the NBA Draft
Context: On Tuesday, the NBA Draft Lottery will take place and everyone will finally find out if the Los Angeles Lakers will keep their top-five protected pick. Odds are they will hold on to the pick, but there is always that chance that they slip out and forfeit their pick to Philadelphia.
Regardless of whether or not they keep the pick, the Lakers are guaranteed two other picks. They have the 27th overall pick via the Houston Rockets as part of the Jeremy Lin trade, and they have their own second-round pick which comes in at 34. While the chances of landing an impact player at that spot is less likely, a number of excellent players have been chosen in that range in recent years.
Players like Draymond Green, Chandler Parsons, Jimmy Butler, and Rudy Gobert were all drafted in area and the Lakers struck gold with Jordan Clarkson who was picked 46th last year.
The 2015 draft class looks to be relatively deep and there are a number of interesting prospects who could be available to the Lakers regardless of what position the team is targeting. The question now becomes which players would be best to take with those picks.
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Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the loyal Lakers Nation followers which players they are hoping to see fall to the Lakers with the 27th or 34th picks? These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at 27. Robert Upshaw at 34. #LNDebate
— Sauce Castillo (@ElPapaUpaPR) May 16, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate justin Anderson and rakim Christmas.
— Justin Klein (@Justinaklein) May 16, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Upshaw at 27 and Tokoto at 34. #LNDebate
— Kevin Cortez (@KevinSCortez) May 16, 2015
@TheeCoreyH honestly, Rondae Hollis Jefferson. Has ALL the intangibles and tangibles to be a great defender, hope he can develop a jumpshot
— Abdul Yusuf (@aryusuf21) May 16, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Dakari Johnson. And Justin Anderson
— Janaggen (@TheMambaFan) May 16, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Hunter, Upshaw, Harvey, and Tokoto #LNDebate
— Derek (@JETER_RE2PECT) May 16, 2015
The fans have spoken and while there were a number of players mentioned as hopeful future Lakers, premier wing defender Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was mentioned the most frequently amongst the faithful.
It’s hard to disagree with that choice. If the Lakers land in the top-four, they will either get a big man or a guard so targeting a wing at 27 would make the most sense. I am a big fan of RJ Hunter, but he will likely be gone before 27 so Hollis-Jefferson (or Justin Anderson) would be perfect at that spot as they could bring the lockdown defense to the team that has been missing.
With the 34th pick, there will be tons of options. Washington center Robert Upshaw was a popular choice among the fans and at 34, he may be worth the risk. I am also a big fan of sharp-shooting guard Tyler Harvey from Eastern Washington as he could be a true gunner for the Lakers. Overall, there will be some choices for the Lakers to make on draft night and hopefully they make the right ones.
[divide]Lakers Nation Draft Podcast: 27th and 34th Picks