With the NBA Draft two weeks, the Los Angeles are entering their final preparations. The team has brought in a number of prospects over the last couple of weeks while evaluating talent and adjusting their draft board. Duke’s Jahlil Okafor came in Tuesday and participated in an individual workout in front of general manager Mitch Kupchak and the scouting staff.
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Many have fallen in love with Okafor’s polished post game while declaring him one of the top two prospects available in this year’s draft. Former Laker Magic Johnson expressed on his Twitter another reason why Okafor is among one of the best:
I love Okafor because he's won a state championship in HS, NCAA Title at Duke and he can bring that championship pedigree to the Lakers.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
Winning is something Okafor loves to do and something he wants to help the Lakers get back to doing. Despite the team’s recent struggles,its reputation as a winning franchise is far from lost from Okafor. Following his workout Tuesday, he mentioned he would love to be part of a franchise that breeds champions.
The Lakers aren’t in full control of drafting Okafor, however. There is still the possibility the Minnesota Timberwolves select him first which would leave the Lakers choosing from the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, or Emmanuel Mudiay.
While the general consensus believes the big men Okafor and Towns to be the top prospects, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA Draft. Kupchak has kept his plan close the sleeve recently saying the team won’t just draft a big to draft a big. Should Okafor end up a Laker, his winning reputation would go a long way in helping the team rebuild.
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