With 9 games left in the season, the NBA Draft is on Lakers fan’s minds front and center. The debate between best big man, Jahlil Okafor or Karl Anthony-Towns, is in full effect but it’s highly unlikely the Lakers get to draft either based on odds.
The Lakers currently stand at 4th worst record in the league and assuming they get jumped one spot (it usually happens), the Lakers will be picking at #5. In most mock drafts positions 1 – 4 have some combination of Okafor, Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay going in no particular order. If that’s the case, who do the Lakers select at 5?
The player who’s stock has risen the most heading into the Final Four: Justise Winslow. He wasn’t projected this high before the tournament, but more exposure and hitting big shots in crucial moments will do that for you. A versatile 6’7″ 229 pound small forward has played mostly at the power forward spot during the tournament. He is a beast defensively, can rebound and take the ball up court plus spot up and hit the 3-ball. He’s been a match-up nightmare for opponents so far and the Duke Blue Devil’s best player on their current run.
The Lakers biggest glaring hole is at the center position, but trailing closely behind is their need at small forward. Wesley Johnson is the de facto small forward on the current roster, yet barring an act of stupidity, he’ll be gone next season. Great big men are hard to come by and unless the Lakers move up to #1 or #2 in the draft or miraculously convince Marc Gasol to come to L.A., they should set their sights on filling the small forward role. Greg Monroe is an option at center in free agency, although he may come with a big price tag.
If the Lakers drafted Winslow, he could make an immediate impact next season. With a similar skill set to Lamar Odom, yet shorter, Winslow is faster than most small forwards and can rebound and defend like a power forward. This season at Duke, he’s only been the 3rd or 4th most talked about player on a team in the spotlight, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. Instantly he would put Kobe Bryant and Nick Young at their natural spot at shooting guard and complement Julius Randle and hopefully Ed Davis at the power forward.
Winslow is a dynamic player who is NBA ready with guard skills in a big man’s body. Historically the Lakers have benefited from players who can rebound and take the ball up court to set up the offense. His penetration will open up shots for teammates and he’s a defensive stopper. Ultimately Winslow has an aggressive style of play and a feisty attitude that will suit the Lakers well moving forward.
Next: Lake Show Life Podcast: Lakers Draft Prospect Breakdown