Following Tuesday night’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a position to keep their top-three protected draft pick.
The Los Angeles Lakers only get to keep their pick in the upcoming draft is if it stays in the top three, otherwise the pick goes to the 76ers. The Lakers keeping this draft pick and getting another very young, and possibly very talented player is necessary not only for the team to compete in the immediate future, but also will help the team recruit free agents in the long run also. With Magic Johnson now at the helm for the Lakers, they will look to once again become one of the league’s best teams.
The Lakers clearly need another guard to play with D’Angelo Russell, as it is becoming more and more apparent that he is better suited to playing the off-ball position. The top three guards in the upcoming draft, barring any unwelcome injuries, will likely be Dennis Smith Jr., Lonzo Ball, and Markelle Fultz, in any order. With each player having their own strengths and weaknesses the Lakers will look for the best fit.
The best fit for the team appears to be Lonzo Ball who is running an old-fashioned point guard position with all the fancy assists he’s currently handing out at UCLA. Lonzo could also become the Hometown Hero, as he played high school basketball for Chino Hills and would instantly transform into the Fan favorite, something the team desperately needs.
If the Lakers get to keep the pick it does not only allow them to draft a potential superstar in the waiting, it will also help the team possibly secure a top notch free agent in the next few years. Paul George has publicly stated that he only wants to play for two teams, the Pacers and the Lakers.
Teams mulling Paul George trade apprehensive knowing he wants to win w/Pacers, Plan B is Lakers. He won't commit longterm outside those two.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 23, 2017
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He also has stated that he wants to win, no matter the cost. The Pacers are failing more and more at helping him achieve the goal that every NBA players want to do, and that is to win the NBA championship at some point during their career. If the Lakers can draft one of the 3 guards who we previously mentioned, it will give them the upper hand at signing Paul George. I mean, who doesn’t want to play with D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Ivica Zubac, and say Lonzo Ball. All those players are under 25 years of age and still nowhere near their potential as NBA talents.
Next: D-Fenders back from All-Star break
Things are finally starting to look up for the Los Angeles Lakers, at a welcome sight we must say for fans. The team is not accustomed to being at the bottom of the NBA standings, the team is clearly making strides if you watch them play, just not in the Win-Loss department yet, look out for them to make a major improvement in the 2017-2018 season.