Two key names were omitted from yesterday’s major Laker workout. The workout included Noah Vonleh, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, Elfrid Payton, Doug McDermott, Tyler Ennis, Gary Harris, and Zach Lavine.
Nik Stauskas, along with Rodney Hood, were late cancellations for Lakers' workout
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) June 4, 2014
Considering that there were two-on-two and three-on-three drills, including perimeter shooting drills, Rodney Hood and Nik Stauskas were key omissions. Both players are projected to be in the late lottery, or into the mid-1st round. Both players are above average athletes. They are not at the level of Zach Lavine or Andrew Wiggins, but they do have some quickness and explosiveness to their games. What is important is, both players would have excelled in that kind of environment. Perimeter shooting drills and three-on-three workouts help out shooters, especially with great point guard play.
Their omission makes it that much more difficult for the Lakers to evaluate trading down in the draft. Kupchak admitted openly at the workout, that he was exploring ideas of trading the pick to acquire more picks. It makes it much more likely for the Lakers to retain their #7 pick, and acquire what their idea of the best player available is. Vonleh, Gordon, Smart, and Lavine are all expected to be at that #7 pick. Any one of those guys could be the best player available, depending on what the scouts and management value most. They could value Vonleh’s combine results, Gordon’s work ethic, Smart’s defense, or Lavine’s outright athleticism to determine the best player available. Payton, McDermott, Harris, and Ennis are expected to be in the late lottery, into the mid-1st round.
Some players have done so well, they may be brought in for their second, and final workout for the team. Usually, the second workout has more refined drills, with the player in isolation. This allows the scouts to get a clearer picture at the details of a player’s talent.
It simply would have been nice to see a completely painted picture, with great lottery picks, all competing against each other. Both guys withdrawing may count as a strike against them.