Can the Lakers repeat their previous successes when drafting late in the first round? Only time will tell.
If you’re any type of Lakers fan, you know that they have at least one guaranteed first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Of course everybody in the organization is hoping and praying that the basketball gods shine some light upon us, and grant us a top-three pick.
If that doesn’t happen, the team still has the 28th overall pick they acquired from the Rockets in the Lou Williams trade back at the deadline.
The Lakers have proven in recent year they know how to draft when it comes to late picks. Larry Nance Jr, Ivica Zubac, and Jordan Clarkson were all selected with picks 27th or later, which just so happens to be one spot higher than where the team drafts this year.
With that being said, let’s take a look at some late round draft targets who could be available.
Caleb Swanigan: Swanigan is your prototypical big man bruiser. The one very important aspect about his game is that, unlike many players his size, he has the ability to step outside to hit a 3-point shot when needed.
Along with being named a first-team All=American last season, “Biggie Swanigan” broke many Purdue records. He finished the season with a 28 double-doubles in 35 games. That number is tied for 13th in NCAA history.
Swanigan would fit right into the Lakers mold, a high-energy type of player who gives it his all on every play. If the Lakers decide to move on from Timofey Mozgov this offseason, Swanigan is just the man to step right into the back-up Center role.
Sindarius Thornwell: Normally when you hear the words “SEC Player of the Year,” your mind automatically goes to a player from Kentucky. Well, if you were to assume that this year, you would be wrong, that distinction went to South Carolina’s Thornwell.
Thornwell led his team to not only the NCAA Tournament, but the school’s first-ever Final Four berth. That’s a tough task.
He has leadership abilities that are out of this world, along with the ability to put the ball in the hoop. After all, that is what the goal is? Isn’t it? If the Lakers could draft this stud SG with the 28th pick, they very well may have found their next star when it’s all said and done.
Harry Giles: Oh boy, if the kid wonder is still there at No. 28, the Lakers should have no problem drafting the player with the highest upside in the draft. Giles didn’t do much at Duke, which was a huge disappointment considering he’s been the top recruit since he was 14.
In extremely limited action, he contributed averages of 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
If the team drafts him, there should be no scenario that he plays a single game for the Lakers this year. He still needs time to fully recover from ACL injuries and to gain weight in order to adjust to the NBA.
If he can somehow find a way to recapture his explosiveness from before the injury, it may very well be the blossoming of a superstar.
If the Lakers continue their previous trend at drafting rotational pieces with all these late picks, the team will eventually become a contender. One problem with drafting so late is they do not always work out. For the team’s sake, let’s hope they do.
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Do you guys like the potential draft picks selected? Who would you like the Lakers to select 28th overall?