Could Los Angeles Lakers' Other Draft Picks Be Key to Quick Turnaround?
Armed with the No. 2 overall draft pick, general manager Mitch Kupchak's Los Angeles Lakers have a golden opportunity to enhance the roster on their quest to reclaim NBA glory.
But their other draft picks on June 25 might the real key to resurgence.
Obviously, they're aiming to add a talented commodity with that top-five spot, and snagging the right guy is crucial. However, unlike most teams, the Lakers have multiple selections in the middle of the draft (No. 27 via trade with the Houston Rockets, and No. 34).
This pair of picks outside the lottery could be the X-factor that separates them from the rest of the rebuilding clubs. Strong role players and deep benches are vital for teams to weather the long season, and L.A.'s new assets can give it an edge. They could help give Kobe Bryant a worthwhile send-off and put the Purple and Gold back in the limelight.
Let's dissect some of the top under-the-radar prospects who can help snap the franchise out of this two-year funk. Who are its top mid-draft targets, and how can they accelerate the franchise's reloading efforts?
There are some highly skilled and versatile candidates who should still be available at Nos. 27 and 34. If Los Angeles plucks a big man with its lottery pick, then it may focus on a guard or wing with its next selections.
One playmaker who could bolster the backcourt rotation and provide dynamic lineup flexibility is Utah's Delon Wright. The Lakers recently worked him out, and he has NBA bloodlines (he's the younger brother of 11-year NBA veteran Dorell Wright).
Wright's already 23 years old, and he's weathered plenty of Pac-12 storms, so he's ready to make an immediate impact with maturity and savvy. He stands 6'5 ½" in shoes, has a 6'7 ½" wingspan and, most importantly, he's shown he can make an impact on both ends of the floor.
Although he's not blessed with explosive quickness or leaping prowess, Wright weaves to the rim off ball screens and uses his body and length to make plays. His shiftiness and hesitation moves help him turn the corner, and then his sharp vision and feel for the game take over. Wright's knack for scoring from all levels and running the pick-and-roll helped him generate one of the top 10 offensive ratings (129.8) in the NCAA last season.
While his offense is good, his defense is great. Wright has tremendous instincts as an on-ball stopper and weak-side thief, and his effort on that end will help turn the Lakers' defensive ineptitude around.
"That's the No. 1 thing, and that's the thing that every team in the NBA needs," Wright's brother Dorell told B/R's Grant Hughes. "(Delon's) willing to sacrifice his offensive game to get on the court to guard guys."
L.A. posted the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA last season (110.6), and it forced the sixth-fewest turnovers per game (12.4). Wright's presence, even for 15-20 minutes per game, would boost both of those numbers.
If Kupchak doesn't go after a point guard like Wright, the team could target a two-way wing. The Lakers are likely parting ways with a couple of free-agent 2s and 3s, including Wayne Ellington and Wesley Johnson, so swingman depth will be an area of need.
Virginia's Justin Anderson could be just what head coach Byron Scott's crew needs to execute better on both ends.
The 6'6" junior doesn't have spell-binding creativity or microwave scoring ability, but he's the type of multipurpose role player who can fill the cracks in the rotation. Anderson is built like a tank at 230 pounds, and his wingspan is nearly seven feet (6'11 ¾"), so he's ready to compete against NBA small forwards. In 2014-15, he anchored the ACC's top defense while shooting 45 percent from three-point land.
"I see myself as a guy that coaches or GMs can look at and say 'This guy's experienced. He sees it. He's been in great programs. He's been in a winning culture,'" Anderson told USA Today's Derek Bodner. "Hopefully I can bring that."
Speaking of three-pointers, the Lakers should enhance their shooting personnel and find them open looks. With one of their two mid-draft selections, they should aim for a prolific perimeter scorer.
The answer at No. 27 could be a high-upside player like UNLV's Rashad Vaughn, who juked and splashed his way to 22.1 points per 40 minutes as a freshman. But if the Lakers go in a different direction at No. 27 and want to grab a shooter at No. 34, there are several NBA-ready options.
Florida's Michael Frazier could give the second unit a polished sharpshooter. He shot 43 percent from distance during his three years in Gainesville, and he can also put the ball on the deck and compete defensively. Another second-round steal could be Stanford's Anthony Brown, who shot better than 44 percent from deep in each of the past two seasons.
If L.A. picks a guard like D'Angelo Russell at No. 2, don't be surprised when it goes big with one of its later picks.
Syracuse center Rakeem Christmas may supply the best mix of physical tools, two-way talent and NBA-readiness in that draft range. He absolutely shredded the ACC last year, racking up 20.4 points per 40 minutes thanks to ambidextrous hook shot prowess and a much-improved mid-range jumper.
Christmas would also help the Lakers' bench defense, using his 7'5" wingspan and athleticism to protect the rim. He averaged 2.9 blocks per 40 minutes last season, along with 10.6 boards, which is not bad considering Syracuse's zone isn't conducive to great rebounding numbers.
Los Angeles has a lot of holes to fill, and there aren't any shortcuts to getting to the top. But this pair of picks offers the Lakers a chance to land a couple of steals.
If Kupchak's able to successfully identify a couple of key rotational contributors for next season, the Lakers will be a lot closer to sniffing the playoffs than a lot of people realize.
Advanced stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com and Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise stated.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
