The 2015 NBA Draft will be an extremely important one for the Los Angeles Lakers. Assuming the team keeps their pick, which is top-5 protected, the Lakers could be armed with two first-round picks, as well as an early second-round selection, with the possibility for another second-round selection depending on where the Los Angeles Clippers land.
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With college basketball in full swing, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is already out checking out some top prospects. On Monday night, Kupchak took in a huge Big 12 matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Iowa State Cyclones. The photo was posted on Twitter by The Cauldron:
Mitch Kupchak is at the Kansas – Iowa St game pic.twitter.com/Y9bJ8Zuza9
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) February 3, 2015
While the Cyclones don’t have any major draft prospects of note, the Jayhawks have two currently ranked in the top-20 by Draft Express. Freshman wing Kelly Oubre is a possible top-10 selection who currently averages 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. Power forward Cliff Alexander could be available later in the first round and currently averages 8.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
With the Lakers hoping for a quick rebuilding process, scoring big-time prospects in the draft will be extremely important either to develop themselves, or use as trade bait in the off-season.
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