Los Angeles Lakers planning workouts for De’Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith
The Los Angeles Lakers plan to workout point guard De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith in the coming weeks after they work out Lonzo Ball early next week.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a lot of rumors swirling about combo guard Jordan Clarkson. A reason that Clarkson is reportedly on the trade block is that the Lakers are in a position to add another guard in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The Lakers own the second pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Many mock drafts have them selecting UCLA star point guard, Lonzo Ball. Ball’s father, LaVar, wants his son on the Lakers, and the feeling seems mutual.
Los Angeles is reportedly enamored with Ball. They will move one step closer to making him their selection early next week. It was reported that the Lakers have finalized a date to have Ball in for his workout on June 7th. In addition to the workout, Ball is expected to meet with the Lakers coaching staff and front office personnel.
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Ball’s workout with the Lakers is expected to be a solo workout. There are no other prospects scheduled to attend, but that does not mean the Lakers aren’t holding more workouts with other prospects.
Los Angeles Daily News beat writer, Mark Medina, reported that the Lakers are planning to workout Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox. Medina reports that the workout is likely to take place in mid-June, sometime between June 11th and June 17th. He also said that the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to have Fox in for a workout.
Not surprising: De'Aaron Fox plans to work out for Lakers and Sixers. Lakers' workout likely to happen mid-June (week of 11-17)
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 27, 2017
If Fox is one of the highest risers in this year’s class. He has cemented himself as a top-five prospect and could move up even more with good workouts. There are a number of teams that already have Fox above Ball on their draft boards; good workouts could move him even further up boards.
Fox is lightning quick, with elite athleticism for a point guard. He can get to the basket at will and is a great distributor. Where Fox really differentiates himself from Ball and some of the other point guards is on the defensive end.
Fox is already a strong defender. Once he adds some strength and continues to grow into his frame, he will become even more of a daunting defender. If Fox can show that his jump shot has improved, he will be a lock for the top-five.
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Another player that the Lakers are planning on having in for a workout is North Carolina State point guard, Dennis Smith. Shams Charania of The Vertical reports that Smith is expected to workout with the Lakers sometime in the next two weeks.
Coming into the 2016-17 season, Smith was ranked right with Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball atop draft boards. He performed well during the season for the Wolfpack, averaging 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game.
The Wolfpack missed out on postseason play, as they went 15-17. It was not from a lack of production from Smith, who had one of the best seasons for a freshman in the country.
His stock dropped as other prospects excelled in postseason play, but he would be a top-five prospect in any other draft class. This year’s class is loaded at point guard, and the Lakers want to see all of them compete in workouts.
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It would still be a major upset if Ball doesn’t land with the Lakers. But, it would not be surprising if they sweat the decision out a little more as Fox and Smith are both talented players that want to show they deserve to go at the top of the draft as well.