The Lakers will work out Buddy Hield on Saturday, June 18 ahead of the 2016 NBA Draft
It’s felt like a foregone conclusion for quite a while now as to what the Los Angeles Lakers are going to do in the 2016 NBA Draft as they own the No. 2 overall selection. In fact, there is seemingly little to no drama regarding the Lakers in the draft.
The consensus has been that the Lakers will take Brandon Ingram if the Philadelphia 76ers take Ben Simmons No. 1 overall and the Lakers will take Simmons if Philly goes with Ingram with the first pick. Seemingly that’s cut-and-dry.
However, a late workout for the Lakers has at least the potential to change things and shake up plans in Los Angles.
According to a report from Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers plan to workout Buddy Hield on June 18. That’s just five days before the draft on June 23:
Lakers to workout Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield June 18, per source. Wonder if Hield, a great shooter, is a possible dark horse candidate at 2?
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 10, 2016
While the Lakers working out Hield, one of the best college players in the country last season, shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone, it’s the timing of the workout that is really intriguing when it comes to a player that can be as explosive as Hield having a workout.
In drafts of yesteryear, there have been numerous cases of players coming in for late workouts and absolutely wowing teams into doing something crazy. With how Hield can shoot the ball and with his maturity as a leader, there’s at least the potential for that here.
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Common knowledge of how things have played out leading up to the 2016 NBA Draft for the Lakers would dictate that they are going to either be selecting Brandon Ingram or Ben Simmons. However, stranger things have happened after a late workout going incredibly well, which is why keeping an eye on Buddy’s time with the Lakers is definitely necessary.