5 Reasons Why Lakers Must Succeed in Free Agency

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver (middle) poses with draft prospects in attendance before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Even if the team has a top five draft choice, there is no certainty the player selected will become a star.

It is true that most NBA stars were first round draft choices. The truth is, however, many high draft choices never pan out. Exhibit one is the Lakers’ very own Wesley Johnson, who was chosen fourth overall in the 2010 NBA draft. In the past few years players such as Anthony Bennett, Otto Porter, Aaron Gordon, and Derrick Williams were all top five selections in the draft, which speaks for itself.

The fact is, the draft is a gamble which sometimes pays off and other times it does not. It is especially risky in recent years because most of the top choices are 19 year olds who played college basketball for one year. With free agents, there is a body to NBA work from which to judge. You generally know what you are getting, and you can anticipate how that player will fit your needs. In short, free agents are far less risky than draft choices.

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