Lakers Take Kyle Filipowski in The Athletic's 2024 NBA Mock Draft amid Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers could select one of college basketball's most prominent players in the 2024 NBA draft.

In the latest mock draft from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the Lakers were projected to pick Duke standout center Kyle Filipowski with the No. 17 choice.

After winning the ACC Rookie of the Year award in 2023, Filipowski followed up his inaugural season with another impressive campaign in his sophomore year. In 36 starts, the 20-year-old averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game.

He improved his efficiency inside the arc while developing a promising long-range jumper, shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent on 112 total three-point attempts.

The Lakers aren't guaranteed to hold onto the No. 17 pick, as the New Orleans Pelicans have the option to take the pick or wait until 2025 to get Los Angeles' first-round selection. However, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported on April 10 that "people around the league" expect New Orleans to covet the Lakers' 2025 pick instead.

Filipowski should be on the board when Los Angeles is on the clock, as he wasn't selected until the No. 19 pick in the most recent mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.

In his scouting report of the center, Wasserman compared Filipowski to floor-spacing bigs such as Kelly Olynyk of the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama.

"Filipowski will ultimately be used and valued most for his ability to initiate fast breaks with his handle, stretch the floor and pass out of the post," Wasserman wrote.

If he's selected by the Lakers, Filipowski would be able to learn from Anthony Davis and provide immediate impact as a depth option in his rookie year.