11 Players The Lakers Passed On In The NBA Draft
Mar 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Arron Afflalo (4) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz guard Elijah Millsap (13) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Selections 2007-2009
2007:
Javaris Crittenton (19th): To say the Lakers got sufficient bang for their buck would be quite the stretch. Crittenton has since fallen completely out of the league and into the legal system. That Pau Gasol trade has been covered ad nauseum here, but Crittenton was considered a decent piece heading to Memphis. In that sense, landing a hall of famer for him was great, but he in no way, shape or form has lived up to his draft position. (Grade: F)
Sun Yue (40th): Again, evaluating talent this deep in the draft is always a tough undertaking. Yue was 6’9” and allegedly boasted point guard skills. Only his height lived up to the hype, though, and he hardly spent more than a cup of coffee in the league. Still, though, he has one more title than Charles Barkley. (Grade: D)
Players the Lakers missed: Wilson Chandler (23rd), Arron Afflalo (27th)
2008:
As the Lakers sent their first-round pick to Memphis and their own second rounder was 58th, no players of worth were selected, nor available.
2009:
Toney Douglas and Patrick Beverley were the Lakers original selections, but were traded essentially for cash and later draft picks. That financial flexibility assisted in keeping bringing in veteran production, but a more lasting impact might’ve been made had they just kept the picks and moved on as such. (Grades: C and B).
Players the Lakers missed: Chase Budinger (44th), Danny Green (46th), Patty Mills (55th).
Next: Lakers Keep Missing