Lakers 2019 NBA Draft Rumors: Darius Garland Expected to Be No. 4 Overall Pick
June 12, 2019
Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland is viewed as the "likely selection" should the Los Angeles Lakers hold onto the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, according to the Los Angeles Times' Tania Ganguli and Broderick Turner.
However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday that the Lakers are shopping the No. 4 pick in Anthony Davis trade talks.
When Rachel Nichols asked Garland on ESPN's The Jump last week about the possibility of the Lakers drafting him, he said it would be "an honor to play with Laker Nation":
Garland showed some promise as a freshman for the Commodores, averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Albeit in a small sample size, he shot 53.7 percent from the field (29-of-54) and 47.8 percent from three-point range (11-of-23) at Vanderbilt.
However, the 6'2", 175-pound guard was limited to only five games due to a knee injury. He underwent surgery on his left meniscus in November.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported last month that Garland left the 2019 NBA combine early, with teams around the league speculating that a team promised to take him within the lottery.
Duke phenom Zion Williamson is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, and ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported last month the Memphis Grizzlies plan to take Murray State point guard Ja Morant with the second pick.
Blue Devils forward RJ Barrett is widely expected to be the third player off the board.