Lakers Select Robert Sacre To Conclude 2012 NBA Draft
After sitting around for nearly four hours – a typical day on the job for Jim Buss – the L.A. Lakers selected Gonzaga big man Robert Sacre with the 60th and final selection of the 2012 NBA Draft. It’s not the kind of pick that’s going to do much of anything to force Antonio Villaragosa to beg Jerry Buss to pay for another parade but the selection does add some serious size to an already massive frontline.
Sacre, a native of Vancouver B.C., enters the NBA having spent five years at Gonzaga where he enjoyed three productive years as a starter. Why five years at a four year university, you ask? Sacre suffered a broken foot early in his sophomore season and was granted a medical redshirt. The seven-footer didn’t post eye-popping numbers but his large frame combined with a defensive mentality could make for a solid contributor off the bench…if he makes the squad.
Sacre’s NBA journey could be over before it starts if he can’t cut it in camp. The only thing second round picks are guaranteed is an invite to camp. But given the Lakers recent history of giving the likes of Derrick Caracter a roster spot you’d have to think the odds are in favor of Sacre sliding into a purple and gold jersey.
Leading up to the draft there was plenty of rumoring that the Lakers were angling to work their way into the first round. But being unwilling to part ways with Pau Gasol assured that was never going to happen so instead the Lake Show selected a player that could give both Gasol and Andrew Bynum a few minutes of rest a night.
Sacre does have some upside as he’s got a nice shooting touch and does have some low-post moves that will surely develop with professional coaching. Overall it’s a solid value pick that could prove inspired if Jim Buss finally gets into the office and gets down to the business of building a champion.