To build through free agency, or the through the draft? The debate will never end as to what is the better approach for rebuilding franchises, but the Lakers might just do both. With the lottery coming up, the Lakers are destined for a top five draft pick, which would be their first since 1982. To add to that, the Lakers have some cash to spend this summer, which can make for a very busy off-season for the Lakers front office.
-== Lakers Draft Evaluations: Comparing Then & Now ==-
We love Kobe Bryant, but it’s all about the future. There is little chance that the Lakers can be championship contenders next year, so 3-4 years should be the target for getting back to elite status. In order to do so, the Lakers have to make the right selection in the draft and pair him with some talent in free agency.
As for deciding which prospects to feature on this list, I first included the same four players that have been on top of every draft board since the beginning of 2015: Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, Emmanuel Mudiay, and D’Angelo Russell. Also, I added in Justise Winslow, who the Lakers reportedly met with at the NBA Draft Combine just a few days ago. The last prospect on this list in Stanley Johnson, who although is projected to go a little higher (7-10 range), will have no problem impressing the Lakers staff at private workouts with his standout athleticism and competitiveness.
As for the others, the Lakers haven’t seemed to show much interest in the top European prospects in this draft (Mario Hezonja and Kristaps Porzingis). Willie Cauley-Stein is an intriguing prospect, but with the Lakers desperate for talent, he’s not at the level of some of the other top guys on the draft board.
The free agent class this summer is loaded with talent, and it is very unlikely that the Lakers will come out with nothing like they have the last few summers.
Also, note that the free agents that are 99% likely to re-sign with their teams, or pick up their player options (LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green, and Dwyane Wade) were not considered for this list.
So which free agents would go great with some of the best prospects of this draft class? Let’s find out.
Next: A Big Man's Dream
Mar 7, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) shoots the ball against Florida Gators forward Jon Horford (21) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators 67-50. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Karl-Anthony Towns: Rajon Rondo
No Rajon Rondo is not the Lakers point guard of the future. I understand, and completely agree that Rondo is no longer an elite point guard. Personally, I’m not a fan of Rondo’s game, and think that the “true point” type of player, is no longer relevant in the modern NBA. However, this is the lone FA-draft prospect duo that is not focused on winning.
Karl-Anthony Towns is a raw big man, who has shown signs of potential dominance as a two-way player in the NBA. The defense is there, but the offense is a little behind. The Lakers don’t want to put too much pressure on Towns in his rookie year, relying on him as a go-to post scorer every possession. Instead, the best way to deal with Towns would to let him slowly develop, and really let him get a feel for the NBA game.
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What better player to help a big man feel comfortable than Rondo? If the Lakers get Towns, he will be the number one priority at all times. Even if that means jeopardizing winning for a year or two with Rondo at the point. Sure Rondo wouldn’t help the Lakers get to the playoffs, but he would help Towns grow as a player. It is every big man’s dream to play with a player like Rondo. A guy who can feed him constantly off the pick and roll, or give perfect entry passes into the post.
Rondo, being one of the smartest players in the league, would easily pick apart Towns’ game, and learn how to get it to him in the perfect situations.
Towns post-game is not nearly what it can be in a few years, and some confidence early in his career can help him achieve his full potential. Rondo can give Towns that confidence.
Next: This Guy Will Win Now
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) shoots during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
Jahlil Okafor: DeMarre Carroll
Okafor’s name hasn’t been brought up very often with the Lakers as of late, but if the Lakers get a little luck in the lottery, they may put themselves in a position to grab the former Blue Devil. Okafor’s dominance in the post can’t cancel out the fact that he will be a huge liability on the other end of the floor. With all of the high flyers and explosive point guards in today’s game, it is now more important than ever to have a rim-protector on a roster. The only big name rim-protector this summer is Marc Gasol, who can’t play with Okafor for one obvious reason (they are both centers!!).
So without any rim-protection, the Lakers would have to try another method: upgrading the perimeter defense. If opposing guards get into the lane less often, Okafor’s non-existent shot blocking ability will be less of a factor. Grabbing Carroll, who has established himself as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, would be a perfect start to improving one of the league’s worst defenses. Several Hawks players’ contracts expire after this season, and Atlanta will likely have to let go of one or two players, giving the Lakers the opportunity to offer much more money.
Most of the elite perimeter defenders (all of the players I listed earlier) are likely to re-sign with their current teams. Even Jimmy Butler, who may want to go elsewhere, will have every offer matched by Chicago. So, Carroll stands as the lone perimeter stopper that the Lakers have a solid chance of getting. Not only will he improve the Lakers defense, but he will provide great floor spacing for Okafor to work down low. Unlike Towns, Okafor will immediately be a reliable post option who can be the focal point of an offense surrounded by shooters. Carroll shot a career high 39.5% from three this year, and has become one of the league’s top “3 and D” players.
Next: Love Is In The Air
Mar 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay of Prime Prep Academy poses for a portrait. He is a finalist for the USA Today Player of the Year Award. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Emmanuel Mudiay: Kevin Love
The top four NBA teams in threes made this season? Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Sounds pretty familiar. The four best three-point shooting teams happen to be the four teams left in the NBA playoffs. Moral of the story is that three-point shooting has become a necessity to building championship teams.
Mudiay is known for his athleticism, and his shooting numbers from his twelve games played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers aren’t very impressive. Mudiay shot just 57.4% from the free throw line, but actually shot a decent 34.2% from three. However, “decent” three-point shooting won’t cut it in the NBA.
Even if Mudiay improves his jumpshot, his game will always be centered on getting to the basket, and that requires floor spacing. Here is where Kevin Love makes his impact. Not saying that Love is ONLY a floor spacer, but his outside shot would definitely compliment Mudiay’s ability to get to the basket, and vice versa. Mudiay and Love would make a deadly pick and pop combination.
Love, who is out for the rest of the playoffs due to a shoulder injury, has made it clear that he is not very happy with his role in Cleveland. Love will definitely be interested in offers from other teams, including his hometown Lakers. The Kevin Love to the Lakers rumors have been going on for years now, and if the Lakers select Mudiay, Love can arrive at the perfect time.
Next: Versatility Is Key
D’Angelo Russell: Marc Gasol
Personally, I think Russell is the best prospect not named Karl-Anthony Towns. His unique skill-set, similar to that of James Harden and Stephen Curry (quite the company), makes him a low-risk, high-reward player. Russell is such a versatile player because he really does not have a position. He has the passing and ball-handling skills to run the point, and the shooting stroke to play off the ball (again, James Harden). Russell just knows how to play the game of basketball, which is a trait that is often overlooked especially when it comes to evaluating young players.
Marc Gasol is the D’Angelo Russell of big men. Gasol can shoot, post-up, pass, and even dribble if he has to. Unlike Russell however, Gasol is also an elite defensive player. Russell and Gasol would make a great fit just because of how skilled these two players are. If the right system is used, these two can be the leaders of a dynamic offense that is unlike any other. These two stand-out talents would compliment each other’s games in every way. A pick and roll situation between Russell and Gasol would give opposing defenses nightmares
The only issue here, is that it is clear that Marc Gasol loves Memphis, and Memphis loves Marc Gasol. However, the Grizzlies have tried the same approach for five straight years, and have consistently gotten the same result. It is obvious that the “grit and grind” style of play in Memphis can’t take them pass the second round of the playoffs. Memphis will eventually have to break up this group of players that have been together since 2010, as this core has likely reached their peak.
I’d like to see a different coach if these two were to both wear the purple and gold. One that would fully utilize the overload of talent between these two, and run more of a flowing, ball-moving type of offense.
Next: You Always Need A Big Man
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow holds up a piece of the net after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
Justise Winslow/Stanley Johnson: LaMarcus Aldridge
If the Draft Lottery is a bit cruel to the Lakers, Mitch Kupchak may have to focus all of his attention on these two small forward prospects. Say the Lakers are given the 5th pick, it is a guarantee that at least one of these players will still be left on the board. Regardless of who the Lakers selected, they would ultimately end up with the same type of player. A strong, athletic wing player with defensive stopper written all over him, and some potential to be a solid scoring option. So because these two players are so similar, I decided to put them together.
Unlike the previous four prospects, Winslow and Johnson are so high on draft boards almost solely because of their defense. Both of these players are solid outside shooters, and great finishers, but will take some time to develop a full offensive repertoire. So if the Lakers select one of these two players, they will still have to find a go-to offensive option for the future. That is exactly what Lamarcus Aldridge is. Aldridge has finished top eight in the league in scoring in each of the last two seasons, and has managed to shoot the ball at a solid percentage.
Aldridge has become a beloved figure in Portland, but his time in Rip City may be coming to an end. After saying just a year ago that he wanted to become the best to ever play in Portland, recent reports have made it clear that Aldridge is willing to listen to other offers.
This duo of Winslow/Johnson and Aldridge, is not based on how they compliment each other, but how they make up for each other’s weaknesses. Aldridge is an average defender at best, while Winslow and Johnson both have the potential to be All-NBA defenders. Meanwhile, Winslow and Johnson are both going to need some time to develop their ability to score the ball, which shouldn’t be an issue if the Lakers can rely on Aldridge to lead the offense in the future.