The Lakers have a tough choice to make with the number two pick. It’s all contingent on what the Minnesota Timberwolves do with the number one pick, but they will most likely go with Karl-Anthony Towns.
-== How The Top 5 NBA Prospects Fit With The Lakers ==-
Jahlil Okafor is the obvious choice for the Lakers, but Emmanuel Mudiay is trying to make a case. He’s the wildcard in this draft because he didn’t play division one basketball and his career in the Chinese Basketball Association didn’t go as planned because of an ankle injury.
Mudiay’s talents are undeniable. His body is NBA ready and he blows you away with his athleticism. He worked out for the Lakers on Saturday and was able to show off his skills in person. He was asked about the possibility of playing with a player like Kobe Bryant and for Mudiay it would be a pleasure.
According to Serena Winters of Lakers Nation, Mudiay admires Bryant for his determination among other things:
Mudiay: "Kobe, I admire his determination. That's what made me a fan. He got a dog in him & that's kind of how I approach the game."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 6, 2015
This is the second rookie prospect that raves about the possibility of playing with Bryant. These young men are as old as Bryant’s career in the NBA, so their first memories of basketball are likely t0 include Bryant.
For Mudiay, it would be amazing to learn from one of the greatest of all time. Mudiay is a guard and with Kobe’s mentorship, Mudiay might elevate his game to another level. This league is dominated by guards and Mudiay has the tools to be a real good one in this league.
Playing with Kobe is not easy, not if winning a championship is not your main priority. These prospects are eager to play in the NBA and their rookie season might be Bryant’s last.