Los Angeles Lakers hosting six more draft prospects

Baylor Power Forward, Johnathan Motley

Motley had a great junior season at Baylor. He made a solid jump across the board from his sophomore season and is in the discussion to be selected near the end of the first round.

Motley’s measurables make him an intriguing prospect. He is listed at 6-feet-9 inches tall and has a wingspan of 7-feet-4 inches. That really helps him on the defensive end of the court, where he is very versatile. He is athletic enough to defend on the perimeter and has the length to be a rim protector.

Arguably the best skill that Motley brings is his rebounding. He led the Big-12 last season, averaging 9.9 rebounds per game. He was also eighth in the country with 126 offensive rebounds, so he got it done on both ends of the court on the glass.

Where teams would like to see him improve is on his shooting range. His athleticism allows him to finish well above the rim, and he does well when facing the basket. If he can expand that range to the three-point line, where he attempted only 50 shots from in three seasons at Baylor.

Motley has the tools and length that teams are looking for in a power forward. His defense and rebounding are excellent, and his great play as a junior was recognized as he received the Karl Malone Award, and was named to the All-Big 12 first team as well as the All-American second team.

He would bring a lot of the same similarities to the Lakers that Larry Nance Jr. does. They’re both athletic forwards some would consider tweeners. Would the Lakers select another player in that mold? The Lakers just need talent, so if Motley is the most talented player on their board they should select him.