2015 NBA Draft Profile: Jahlil Okafor

In our first 2015 NBA Draft profile, we start at the top with Jahlil Okafor. The center out of Duke University has been feasting on opponents this season and has staked his spot atop the draft boards of every team. What could he offer the Lakers if he landed in Los Angeles?

Name: Jahlil Okafor

School: Duke University

Position: Center

Height: 6’11

Weight: 272 pounds

Draft Position: Top 3 Pick

Overview: Even before the season started, Jahlil Okafor’s name was near the top of many draft boards and mock drafts as arguably the top center prospect in a class chocked full of them. All he’s done this season is unquivocally solidify his position as not only the top center in the draft, but the top player overall.

One look at Okafor will tell you why scouts are drooling. At 6’11 and 272 pounds, he’s got the size already to start at center for NBA teams and dominate them physically. Few players would be able to handle Okafor as is, and he hasn’t even stepped into an NBA training room or practice arena.

With his elite size, he has an elite skill set. He’s as composed as they come, able to absorb double teams and make the right pass. His back-to-the-basket post game is, again, better than many NBA centers. He can over-power you and can out-smart you. Poised might be the best word to describe Okafor’s game.

Why The Lakers Should Be Excited: In arguably their two worst seasons ever, if the Lakers could land Julius Randle last year and Okafor this year, their front court is set for the next 10-15 years at a minimum. And we aren’t talking about having an average or even above average front court. This would be an elite front court.

Randle and Okafor would mesh so nicely together. Both are great passing big men, to start with. Think of Pau Gasol with Lamar Odom, in terms of passing. Moreso, the two can work in the half-court together as Randle works more in the mid-range area and could play the high post while Okafor can work in the block. A high-low post game with Randle and Okafor would be lethal.

Focusing solely on Okafor, and more importantly his post game, there are reasons to be enthusiastic. He’s drawn comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal, mainly because his size, but has had Shaq-esque moments.

Seriously, that is mini-Shaq. Hell, that’s prime-Shaq. But he does more than just bully ball. Actually, if anything, he doesn’t bully smaller opponents enough. Here you can see some more post moves, showing his array of skills. Note that all of these came against Wisconsin, who sports national player of the year candidate and likely first-round pick Frank Kaminsky at center.

That’s probably better post moves than any current Lakers big man. His game isn’t limited to just backing opponents down. He often gets involved with pick and rolls and is adept at getting to the rim as the roll man and finishing.

Now, just picture those pick and rolls with

and Okafor, a la Gasol and Bryant. Hell, picture a Randle/Okafor pick and roll, which could be just as effective. Offensively Okafor would be one of the best centers in the league right now, which is what has the Lakers and scouts drooling. Defensively, while Okafor does leave a lot to be desired (which we’ll talk more about later), his size alone allows him to protect the rim, although it has backfired on him already.

Why The Lakers Should Be Wary: To be honest, there isn’t much about Okafor to be wary about, especially on the offensive end. He doesn’t have much of a jumper, or at least a consistent one, but has shown a willingness to shoot it. That being said, he seems willing to try to improve his jumper which doesn’t make it much of a weakness.

His weaknesses come on the defensive end, which we hinted at before. He has limited lateral quickness, which makes him a bit of a liability on pick and rolls. His inconsistency, especially in regards to the pick and roll, can leave him either too committed to stopping the ball-handler and getting blown away by smaller guards or too far to the opposite extreme, allowing guards to pull-up and hit jumpers on him.

Draft Express did a fantastic video on Okafor’s defensive struggles, using only two games of footage to show all his weaknesses. His rim protecting isn’t any better as he relies on his 7’6″ wingspan to bail him out too often. It got so bad for head coach Mike Krzyzewski that he had to resort to playing a zone defense (albeit not entirely Okafor’s fault) to avoid teams exploiting Okafor’s weaknesses.

Final Say: For any defensive weaknesses Okafor has, he’s still hands down the best player in the draft right now. His offensive game is so evolved that teams are salivating at the thought of him come June. He’ll be atop the Lakers’ big board barring something catastrophic.