Lakers: Questions That Must Be Answered This Offseason

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 1, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cheick Diallo (13) dunks the ball against the Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the game 94-61. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cheick Diallo (13) dunks the ball against the Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the game 94-61. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Who should they choose with their 32nd pick?

They’ve done well with late picks as of late, drafting Jordan Clarkson two years ago, Larry Nance Jr. last year and perhaps even Anthony Brown, last year’s second-rounder, can still find a way to contribute.

The draft is definitely top heavy but there are still some gems to be found at the bottom of the rubble. Thon Maker is an interesting prospect who the Lakers will definitely be interested in if he falls all the way to the 32nd pick, which seems unlikely at this point.

If they do indeed draft Simmons or Ingram to play small forward, does that mean they will not pursue free agents such as Nicolas Batum or Harrison Barnes?

Simmons and Ingram could both slide into the roll of small forward so signing a player like Batum, Barnes or even KD could be redundant. This leads directly into the next question…

Will the Lakers re-sign Clarkson?

Or will they instead pursue guard DeMar DeRozan, as has been widely speculated? Or perhaps they will try to sign both?

And will they re-sign any of the back-up players from this year’s team, such as point guard Marcelo Huertas, third-string center/cheerleader Robert Sacre, and ageless fan favorite Metta World Peace?

Next: Who Will Fill the Gap at Center?

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