Don’t disengage: The Los Angeles Lakers will add a late-round steal in the 2017 NBA draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers have done it again! For the third straight year, the Lakers have landed the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Whether it’s the heralded UCLA point guard, Lonzo Ball, whose elite court vision and passing ability guided him to lead the NCAA in assists per game this year (7.6), or the electrifying Washington Huskies’ sensation, Markelle Fultz, who, according to a video scouting report conducted by the Lakers Film Room, has the fourth best shooting percentage among all guards drafted since 2005.
The choice for the Lakers is simple. Take whichever player falls to them at No. 2.
The difficult choice, however, comes in the form of their 28th overall pick. Fans usually disengage after the lottery picks are announced. Lakers fans, however, should not for a multitude of reasons. Unlike the second overall pick, the Lakers selecting at 28th adds mystery.
According Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale:
"First-round picks of any kind have never been more valuable. It doesn’t matter whether you’re drafting in the top five or the bottom five, chasing a cornerstone or a touch-up. The draft, as unscientific as it remains, is an invaluable mechanism."
The NBA lottery is exactly just that: a lottery. There is no rhyme or reason to guarantee that a top pick will be a star. Furthermore, there is no reason to discredit that a later pick in the draft will not be a star.
Los Angeles Lakers’ history of drafting late-round talent cause for hope
Over the past three years, the Lakers have quietly developed a nucleus of efficient players that were not picked in the lottery.
The Lakers now have three players on their roster–Jordan Clarkson (46th), Larry Nance (27th) and Ivica Zubac (32nd)–who were non-lottery picks, but they have managed to carve out definitive roles on the team.
The opportunity for late-round talent expands beyond just these young Lakers that have flourished. In the Association, the All-NBA teams consist of 15 of the top players in the NBA. Four out of the 15 players were selected after the 28th pick.
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On top of that, 47 percent of the All-NBA team were non-lottery picks. This history of hidden gems acquired after the lottery is clear not only with the Lakers, but in all of basketball.
The history of late round talent, along with our recent draft success, should have Lakers fans enthusiastic.
Beyond the history of drafting late-round talent, this pick is an opportunity to take advantage of good fortune. The Lakers did not originally own this pick.
President of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka made a shrewd move by trading Lou Williams to Houston.
According to a press release, when asked about the importance of this pick, Johnson said:
"This trade allows us to continue on the path of building something special, while maintaining future flexibility within the organization."
Although Johnson and Pelinka have placed the Lakers in a limber position, Lakers fans continue to grow stiff. With the exception of the Boston Celtics, a team having a top lottery pick reflects its poor season.
Consequently, the Lakers landing the No. 2 pick for three years in a row is a result of a 91-328 record in the past four years. This franchise is in desperate need for a player that can make an immediate impact.
Next: Lakers Land Dream Prospect In Mock Draft
Lakers fans are expecting that impact to come from the second pick. However, that impact might also be ignited by the 28th pick.