In order for the Lakers to keep their first round pick, they must be in the top 5. Who should they draft if they land the selection?
The only way the Los Angeles Lakers can get a first round pick in next years NBA draft is if they finish with a top 5 pick. The Lakers are 9-22 and are among the bottom five in the NBA.
The Lakers can use talent at nearly every position, with the exception of shooting guard (Kobe Bryant). If the Lakers land a top 5 pick, it is also unlikely that they select a power forward, because Julius Randle plays that position.
What top prospects can the Lakers target, if they land that coveted top 5 selection?
Emmanuel Mudiay
Mudiay is one prospect that has superstar potential. The problem is that he went overseas (Chinese Basketball Association), instead of playing at SMU. Mudiay is a 6’5″ point guard that can do it all. He is a terrific athlete and has the tools to be a terrific defender.
Mudiay has a game reminiscent to that of John Wall. The 18-year-old superstar is currently averaging 17.7 points, 6 rebounds and 5.9 assists with the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Expect Mudiay to be a top three pick despite not displaying his game at the collegiate level. If the Lakers land Mudiay he will have to be the best point guard the Lakers have had since the great Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Jahlil Okafor
In a class loaded with big men (Karl-Anthony Towns, Myles Turner), it is Okafor that is the most NBA ready. At 6’11”, Okafor possesses rare footwork and a soft touch, despite his free throw struggles (51%).
Okafor is as fundamentally sound and skilled as any freshman center in recent memory. The Duke Blue Devil is currently averaging 17.4 points and 8.9 rebounds. Okafor has scored in double digits every game so far and had a 25 points and 20 rebounds game as well.
If Okafor heads for the draft, he could be the top pick.
Stanley Johnson
Johnson will immediately fill a hole that the Lakers have at the small forward spot. It is easy to believe that the Lakers will pick the local kid from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana if Okafor and Mudiay are off the board.
Johnson is a grown man at the collegiate level (Arizona), despite being a freshman. He possesses loads of strength and has the competitiveness that many players lack even at the next level. Johnson can slash well and defend at an incredibly high level.
He is currently averaging 14.5 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Wildcats.
Karl Anthony-Towns
Another freshman center that can go as high as the top pick in the draft. Anthony-Towns is at a disadvantage as an individual. Playing for Kentucky is certainly the best for winning purposes as they are the best team in the nation, but with that comes a price.
Anthony-Towns is playing just under 20 minutes a game and doesn’t have the chance that other star freshman have to display his game on a more frequent basis. He is averaging 8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for the number one team in the country.
He is an elite athlete that has range out to about 20 feet and can change many shots with his length.
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