As arguably one of the most promising young prospects heading into the 2015 NBA Draft, Arizona’s Stanley Johnson will have no shortage of suitors. Although it is still up for debate whether Johnson is a top-five prospect in this year’s draft, it’s safe to assume he’ll be taken somewhere between 5-10 on June 25.
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With Johnson’s ties to the Los Angeles Lakers organization and the team’s need for a small forward, there’s a chance the L.A. native could be headed back home. Johnson is excited about the potential of being drafted by the team he’s love since childhood while also playing alongside one of his favorite players in Kobe Bryant.
On Thursday, Johnson talked about potentially being drafted by the Lakers amongst many other things during the NBA Draft Combine. Johnson also mentioned working out with Kobe last summer saying the following, via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
Stanley Johnson said he worked out with Kobe Bryant this offseason. Johnson: "Hardest workouts of my life."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 14, 2015
With the Lakers having the highest probability of drafting with the fifth overall pick, there’s a great chance Johnson will be wearing purple and gold for the foreseeable future. Los Angeles currently has a 35.1 percent chance of dropping to five and if that happens, Johnson may get the call on draft day.
Johnson is already supremely confident with the draft a little more than a month away. Johnson believes he’s the cream of the crop in this draft class, via Medina:
Stanley Johnson: "I'm the best player in the draft"
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 14, 2015
Although Johnson is a promising young prospect with Los Angeles roots and an admiration for Bryant, the Lakers will have a few other options at small forward during the draft. Justise Winslow out of Duke and Barcelona’s Mario Hezonja will also be intriguing options for Los Angeles.
[divide]Lakers Nation’s 2015 NBA Draft Odds Podcast