Ranking the Top 10 Draft Picks in Lakers History

9. Clyde Lovellette (Round 1, Pick 9, 1952)

With their first-round pick in the 1952 NBA Draft, the then Minneapolis Lakers selected a big man out of Kansas by the name of Clyde Lovellette. Lovellette immediately made an enormous impact on the Lakers organization, helping lead them to a title in 1954 in just his second season in the league.

Lovellette played four seasons with the Lakers and was phenomenal in his time there. The 6-9 forward-center averaged 17.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, but it was the mismatches he created in against virtually every opponent. Lovellette had the ability to stretch the floor slightly before that was a common thing in the game. As a big man, he could step out and knock down short jumpers away from the rim, meaning that opposing big men would have to play out of position to defend him.

Lovellette wasn’t around long with the Lakers as he left after the 1957 season, but he helped bring them to glory upon his arrival and brief tenure with the team. He was a big man uncommon to the era with his versatility at his size. Had he been a Laker for life, he’d certainly have been higher on this list, but his impact still deserves a spot in the Top 10.

Next: No. 8 Andrew Bynum