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NBA Draft 2016: 5 Second-Round Prospects Lakers Should Target

By Cody Williams

Mar 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jordan Clarkson (5) drives the ball past Florida Gators center Patric Young (4) during the first half in the quarterfinals of the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jordan Clarkson (5) drives the ball past Florida Gators center Patric Young (4) during the first half in the quarterfinals of the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) smiles after a foul in the second half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Mackey Arena. Purdue won 71-61. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) smiles after a foul in the second half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Mackey Arena. Purdue won 71-61. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. A.J. Hammons – Center – Purdue

Once again staying in the frontcourt in regards to the Lakers picking in the second-round, yet another intriguing prospect is Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons. Hammons is in his senior season with Purdue, playing a significant role in all four years with the Boilermakers. However, his age and some areas of uncertainty have him rated as a second-rounder.

Even with his second-round rating, it’s hard to deny the things that Hammson, a 7-0, 278-pound center, has done over his career. He’s improved in regards to production every season, culminating with his senior year that has seen the big man put up 14.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in just 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 58.6 percent from the floor. He’s a skilled big man with NBA-ready size and just a great feel on both ends of the floor.

The concerns with Hammons are warranted, though, as he’s never played more than 25 minutes per game in a season and is already 23 years old. That seems to indicate questionable durability and limited upside. As far his prospects as a second-round go, though, he’s such a skilled player that it wouldn’t be the worst thing to see the Lakers address a need and take a slight gamble on the big man out of Purdue.

Next: No. 3 Wayne Selden

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