NBA Draft 2012: 10 Game-Changing Rookies Who Lakers Should Target

Laker fans often times seek immediate change when their team faces turmoil. L.A. is known for making unlikely blockbuster trades and seemingly always ending up with the better side of the deal.

As we near the trade deadline, rumors will begin to heat up more than ever, and fans will be on the edge of their couches sitting in front of their TVs and computers waiting for that breaking news.

However, I'm here to tell you Laker fans that if L.A. doesn't make a move, if they don't succeed like you want them to come playoff time, don't worry.

Currently the Lakers have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, and I'm not sure people realize just how talented this draft class will be from top to bottom.

The second half of the season crept up on us faster than ever, and so will playoffs. Next thing you know it will be the sad offseason that we all dread.

But here are 10 extremely talented players that could help the aging Lakers come next season.

It's never too early to plan ahead.

Damian Lillard

At the beginning of the college basketball season there would have been no doubt in my mind that the Lakers could draft Damian Lillard in the late first round.

However, Lillard continues to work his way up on the draft board with his stellar play this season.

He is a very talented point guard who can create his own shot and is one of the best scorers in the nation. Standing at 6'2", he would compliment Kobe Bryant very well.

He has never been afraid of the moment, and I believe he could handle the pressure of stepping in and playing a big role in L.A. alongside Kobe in his last few years.

I would compare his game to Norris Cole, but he is a better scorer and will not likely slip through the cracks like Cole did.

Mason Plumlee

Mason Plumlee is the best Plumlee on a Duke team with three of them.

If the Lakers do trade Pau Gasol, no matter who they get in return, there will still be a hole at the 4 position for the Lakers.

Plumlee stands at 6'11", but is a very athletic and versatile power forward. He has an NBA-ready body and is an experienced and smart player who has played under Coach K for three years.

He doesn't have the strongest post game, but I could see him playing alongside Bynum quite well. He is not a stranger to hard work—once again, thanks to Coach K.

The strength to his game would have to be his jump shot. He would fit right in with the Lakers and could be one of the best power forwards in the NBA years down the road.

Quincy Miller

Quincy Miller is one of the most athletic players in college basketball. He is a 6'9" small forward who can jump out of the gym. 

The potential Miller has is incredible.

Kris Joseph

Kris Joseph is arguably the best player on the No. 1 team in the nation.

He's a 6'7" small forward with a 6'10" wingspan. Although the Lakers roster is packed with small forwards, Joseph would be an upgrade over all of them.

He is a senior and leader whose spot-up jumper is one of the most impressive aspects of his game. On top of his NBA ready frame and his silky smooth jump shot, he can also create his own shot with the best of them.

As far as his defense goes, we don't really know how great he could be due to how often Syracuse sits back in a zone. However, he has all the tools to be a solid player on both ends of the floor.

Tomas Satoransky

This is probably the first time you will hear of Tomas Satoransky, but I assure you it will not be the last.

He is a 6'6" point guard from the Czech Republic with scary range to compliment his incredible athleticism. Needless to say, with a 6'6" stature at the point guard position, he is able to body up smaller guards on both ends of the floor.

He could possibly live up to the expectations that players such as Shaun Livingston failed to live up to. If Satoransky was playing college basketball here in America, NBA scouts would be all over him.

If the Lakers do their homework, Satoransky could be a steal for them. It would help the Lakers on both ends of the floor significantly. That's not something that can be said about a lot of players in the draft.

Keep this name in mind.

Patric Young

Although Patric Young is an undersized center standing at 6'9", but his 7'1" wingspan, athleticism and hustle make up for the size he lacks.

He could easily step into the 4 spot for the Lakers and pair up with Bynum to create one of the most defensively intimidating frontcourts in the league; right there alongside Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka.

Young participated in the Under-19 World Championship for Team USA, which turned out to be a great experience.

He has a lot of potential and although he is a little inconsistent, L.A. could reap great rewards if they chose to draft Young.

Terrence Jones

Terrence Jones has been one of the faces of college basketball thus far. However, this draft is so talented and deep that I would not be surprised to see him drop down to the late first round.

For those who don't know, Jones is a 6'9", energetic and motivating small forward.

He's maintained his guard skills and is really one of the most versatile players in the draft; he can effectively play positions 2 through 4.

It will be hard for teams to pass up on this kind of versatility, but if the Lakers are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to draft Jones, they've got to take it.

No matter where you put him on the floor, he brings immediate energy, youth and intensity. The Lakers often times lack all three.

Jones is a player that the Lakers' organization should have at the top of their list.

Fab Melo

He's not the best scorer. He's not the best shooter. He's not even the best big man in the draft, but Fab Melo could be a great fit for the Lakers.

Yes, as of now they already have Bynum and Gasol. But let's be honest, it's not likely that both names are still on the Lakers' roster come March 15th.

Whether the Lakers keep Bynum or trade him away for Dwight Howard, I want you to ask yourself this question: Who is the Lakers' backup center?

The answer is Troy Murphy, who is far from a banger and defensive presence inside the paint. That being said, it's clear that Melo needs some work on the offensive end, but his defense is impeccable. 

His shot blocking skills are often times overshadowed by the best player in the draft, Anthony Davis. But Melo is a shot changer as well. He is a seven-footer with an even longer wingspan.

Imagine having Melo sub in for the injury-prone Bynum. That's a two-headed monster at the 5 position. Melo could be shaped into a threat on the offensive end as his career progresses.

A little bit more athletic than Drew, just check out his dunk in this video.

Draymond Green

Draymond Green is an undersized small forward, but he continues to improve and find a way to get the job done.

He is averaging 15 points to go along with 10 rebounds as the clear leader of Michigan State. Although he wouldn't bring much more length to the Lakers, they don't really need it, boasting two seven-footers in their starting line up.

He's not the greatest athlete in the world, but he would not be a bad option at all as the talent gets a little thinner down the stretch. At the end of the day, he can space the floor and provide solid production off the bench by doing the dirty work. He could be the Lakers' Udonis Haslem.

Quincy Acy

Many people have Quincy Acy dropping all the way down to the late second round. However, I think this guy could be a steal for the Lakers.

He's another undersized player at the power forward position, but has continued to improve every year, which leads me to believe he is a hard worker.

I feel as though undersized and underrated players are those that work the hardest on the floor, and after spending four years at Baylor working on his game, I think Acy is NBA-ready despite his stature.

He finishes well around the rim, to say the least, which is something every coach loves. I don't think Acy would disappoint if given the chance to show out.

Pat Riley seems to be impressed at the end of this video.