Lake Show Life
Fansided

NCAA Tournament 2016: 5 West Region Players for Lakers to Watch

By Cody Williams

Mar 1, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) head down the court after Allen scored against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) head down the court after Allen scored against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Jan 30, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (1) passes around Arizona Wildcats guard Gabe York (1) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (1) passes around Arizona Wildcats guard Gabe York (1) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Gary Payton II – Oregon State

One player who has really captured the imagination of college basketball fans throughout the season has been Oregon State senior point guard Gary Payton II. The Lakers obviously know his father in Gary Payton Sr. from battles with the Seattle SuperSonics and with senior finishing his career in Los Angeles. Now it could be the Oregon State guard that could contribute to the Lakers.

More from Lakers Draft

As a senior in the Pac-12, Payton was phenomenal as the leader for the Beavers, averaging 15.9 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor. While he’s not a great jump shooter, he’s passable from the mid-range. However, his greatest strength is his length and his athleticism, both of which help him explode and make plays on offense and defense.

The Lakers obviously already have two young guards in house with Russell and Clarkson, but I’m a fan of adding quality depth behind those two young players as the organization moves forward. With Payton II projected as an early-to-mid second round pick, he could wind up being one of the steals of the draft and the next addition to the Lakers’ growing arsenal of undervalued, high-quality contributors at the NBA level.

Next: No. 2 Buddy Hield

Home/Lakers Draft