With the NBA Draft on Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to work out numerous prospects for their 2nd, 27th and 34th picks. While the Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly informed Karl-Anthony Towns they will take him with the first overall pick, the Lakers will have Jahlil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis and Emmanuel Mudiay as options.
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Lakers are ‘settling in on’ Okafor and the chances have increased to 80/20 with three days left until the draft:
Hearing Lakers settling in on Jahlil Okafor at No. 2. Told 70-30 they'd take him on Friday. Up to 80-20 today.
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 22, 2015
Since the NBA Draft Lottery last month, it was expected the Lakers would select Towns or Okafor as the next big men of the franchise. However, Russell and Porzingis have been in the discussion and it is a possibility Los Angeles may still select a guard in Russell.
After having a 17 percent chance of losing their pick to the Philadelphia 76ers this season, the Lakers jumped two spots and will have an opportunity to add another key piece to their young foundation of Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. With Okafor expected to be their pick on Thursday, there is great optimism heading into free agency on July 1.
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