NBA Draft 2011: 10 Targets for the LA Lakers in the Second Round
For the first time in a long time, the Lakers have a real opportunity to upgrade their roster through the 2011 NBA Draft. The Lakers currently own four second round picks: 41, 46, 56 and 58.
Although this year's draft is considered by many to be one of the weakest drafts of all time, that opinion is generally directed towards the lottery picks (1-14).
There are plenty of opportunities to find quality basketball players in the second round and hopefully GM Mitch Kupchak chooses to focus his efforts on the point guard position.
With the draft just 17 days away, let's take a look at 10 potential targets for the Lakers in the second round.
10. Ben Hansbrough, PG/SG, Notre Dame
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Ben Hansbrough (6'3", 203 lbs) led Notre Dame in scoring last year, averaging 18.4 points per game while shooting 44 percent from three-point land. Hansbrough was named the Big East Player of the Year and is the younger brother of Tyler Hansbrough.
Unfortunately, Hansbrough suffered a severely sprained left ankle in mid-March while working out with a personal trainer and was unable to participate in the pre-draft combine.
Hansbrough is considered by many to be a poor man's Jimmer Fredette, and don't be surprised if the Lakers take a gamble on him late in the second round.
9. DeAndre Liggins, SG, Kentucky
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DeAndre Liggins (6'6", 202 lbs) surprised everyone by entering the NBA Draft a year early when many felt he had a great opportunity to build on a strong junior campaign.
Liggins only averaged 8.6 points per game, but did shoot 39 percent from beyond the three-point line. He has an NBA-ready body as he is the ideal size for a 2 guard at the next level. He's also extremely athletic and has the potential to be an excellent defender at the next level.
Liggins would be a great fit for a team like the Lakers trying to get younger and more explosive in the backcourt.
8. Scotty Hopson, SG/SF, Tennessee
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Scotty Hopson (6'7", 205 lbs) averaged 17 points per game while shooting 38 percent from three-point land during his junior season for the Volunteers.
Much like Liggins, he comes NBA ready from a physical standpoint and has the prototypical build of an NBA 2 guard.
During a six-game stretch late in the season, Hopson averaged 23.7 points per game and could provide some much needed scoring off the bench for the Lakers.
7. Jereme Richmond, SF, Illinois
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Maybe the biggest surprise of all the early entrants into this year's NBA Draft, Jereme Richmond (6'7", 207 lbs) opted to leave Illinois after just one season in Champaign.
Richmond is an explosive athlete, and like many others on this list he has the perfect size to play on the wing at the next level. Despite averaging only 7.6 points per game, Richmond has really impressed NBA scouts with his athleticism.
Richmond has tremendous upside, but would likely take a couple years to develop enough strength to be a major contributor in the NBA.
6. David Lighty, SG, Ohio State
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David Lighty (6'6", 216 lbs) capped off an amazing college career that saw him play more games than any player in the history of NCAA basketball. Lighty is the perfect size to play the 2 in the NBA, and would be able to contribute right away as a result of his college experience.
Lighty can do it all, averaging 12 points per game, three assists, four rebounds and 1.5 steals for a loaded Buckeyes team. His best attribute may be his ability to absolutely lock down opposing players on the perimeter.
Lighty is an elite defender, which would allow him to contribute immediately at the next level and would be a perfect fit for the now defensive-minded Lakers under new head coach Mike Brown.
Here's to hoping Mitch Kupchak pulls the trigger on Lighty...
5. E'twaun Moore, PG/SG, Purdue
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E'twaun Moore (6'4", 191 lbs) is coming off an an absolutely incredible college career that saw his scoring average go up for four consecutive seasons, culminating in a senior year stat line that read: 18 points per game, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 34 minutes of play.
Moore became the fourth player in Big Ten history to record 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 350 assists for a career. He also left Purdue as the third leading scorer in the history of the program, trailing only the legendary Rick Mount and Joe Barry Carroll.
Moore is probably too small to play shooting guard in the NBA, so his ability to play point will determine the length of his NBA career. That said, his ability to defend on the perimeter will earn him a roster spot somewhere in the league next season.
Similar to David Lighty, Moore would be a perfect fit on the Lakers due to his wonderful college experience at Purdue.
4. Cory Joseph, PG, Texas
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Cory Joseph (6'3", 186 lbs) played just one year at Texas, averaging 10 points per game while shooting 41 percent from three-point land. Joseph is the ideal size for an NBA point guard and should probably be considered more of a combo guard based on his ability to score the basketball.
Joseph could realistically make the Lakers team next season as a backup PG due to his size and athleticism, two traits GM Mitch Kupchak will desperately be seeking in future backcourt players.
3. Andrew Goudelock, PG/SG, Charleston
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Andrew Goudelock (6'2", 198 lbs) is a scorer, period. He averaged 23.7 points, 4.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and shot 41 percent from three-point land last season for the Charleston Cougars.
Similar in size to E'twaun Moore, and with a similar game, if Goudelock can prove to an NBA coach that he can play point guard at the next level, he will have a very long career in the league.
Goudelock would be a good fit on a Lakers team searching for backcourt scoring and depth.
2. Reggie Jackson, PG/SG, Boston College
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Reggie Jackson (6'3", 200 lbs) is an absolute beast, and would be a steal if he falls to the Lakers in the second round. Jackson averaged 18 points, four assists, four rebounds, and one steal while shooting 42 percent from three-point land last season for the Eagles.
He's one of those guys that can get you 30 points from the point guard position on any given night and the Lakers would be ecstatic if he fell into their laps at pick No. 41. He is projected as a top 40 player currently, so it wouldn't be a stretch for him to be wearing purple and gold next year.
1. Nolan Smith, PG/SG, Duke
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Nolan Smith (6'3", 189 lbs) averaged 20.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds during his senior year at Duke while playing alongside freshman point guard Kyrie Irving, the potential first pick in this year's draft.
Smith played shooting guard for the first eight games of the season, before Irving suffered a turf toe injury that forced Smith into playing the point. It was actually a blessing in disguise, as Smith easily made the transition by racking up 10 assists in his first game as the Blue Devils' floor general.
Smith has NBA range from three and is a proven winner, helping Duke win a national title in his junior year. He can score in a variety of different ways, making him extremely difficult to defend on the perimeter.
Smith scored at least 30 points on four different occasions last year and the Lakers will have their fingers crossed that he somehow falls to them at No. 41.
