With the NBA Draft just under two weeks away, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in full preparation mode having invited a number of prospects for workouts. The team currently owns three picks at No. 2, No. 27 and No. 34.
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The upcoming picks would go a long way in helping the Lakers rebuild and get over their recent struggles. In addition to former Laker Magic Johnson expressing support for the team taking one of the bigs, current player Nick Young said during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsNation that he would take a big if he were the one making the decision:
Max Kellerman: If you’re the GM of the Lakers, are you using the No. 2 pick on a guard or a big?
Nick Young: Big.
Most draft experts have Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor as the draft’s top prospects. The two big men come into the league possessing different skill sets. Towns impressed scouts with his defensive ability and positional versatility while Okafor plays down on the block and excels with his post game.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said the team won’t draft a big just because many believe it to be the right move. The team also worked out Emmanuel Mudiay and D’Angelo Russell and Kupchak believes Jordan Clarkson can play alongside one of the guards should the Lakers end up going that direction.
With recent reports saying the Minnesota Timberwolves have ‘no doubt’ in selecting Towns and another having the Lakers as ‘locked-in’ with Okafor, it may seem inevitable that the franchise goes with a big man in the draft. Of course, nothing is certain when it comes to the draft and things can always change in time before June 25.
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