The Picture Perfect Lakers’ Summer
By Jacob Rude
Draft Marcus Smart
Feb 22, 2014; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) passes between Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Robert Turner (14), forward Kader Tapsoba (12), guard Jamal Williams (23), and guard Toddrick Gotcher (20) during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Oklahoma State Cowboys won 84-62. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
This is under the assumption the draft plays out in the most realistic way. With the Cavaliers holding the #1 pick, anything goes, but I assume the likes of Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Dante Exum will be the first four picks. With the fifth pick, I see the Jazz going after either Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, or Noah Vonleh (Doug McDermott as the wild card). The Jazz will pick one of the two remaining, leaving the Lakers with one of the three listed and Marcus Smart as a prospect.
Smart shores up a need for many years into the future. Few prospects in the draft, if any, can defend like Smart. Think back prior to this season, back when the Lakers were on the tail end of the title runs. Their biggest weakness was defending point guards like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and even opted to put Kobe Bryant on Rajon Rondo in the Finals.
With Smart, those problems are solved for many years to come. Smart can match-up to those point guards. He gives you a perimeter defender you can build a defense around. Instead of relying on a big man like Andrew Bynum or Dwight Howard to defend the rim, you can simply stop the players from getting to the lane. Better yet, Smart gets a couple seasons under Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, two of the best to learn from.