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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 players to consider drafting if they keep picks 27 and 28

By Darrel Wilson

Feb 13, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) is called for a foul against Oregon State Beavers forward Tres Tinkle (3) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon State Beavers 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) is called for a foul against Oregon State Beavers forward Tres Tinkle (3) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon State Beavers 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Feb 2, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) reacts after a play by the Utah Utes during the second overtime period at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Utah Utes 77-75 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Ivan Rabb 6’10 California

It is really funny how the player rating system tends to deem a player less worthy of a high draft pick the longer he stays in college when it should be the opposite. Ivan Rabb was considered a lock to be lottery pick if he would have stayed in the 2016 draft but he opted to stay one more year at California and his stock plummeted, although he made improvements as a player on the court and gained a better perspective off the court, as he told Mark Medina of the Orange County Register.

"“That helped me with my mentality, just knowing how to prepare myself coming into this year, knowing what to do before games and knowing what to do before practice and after practice. Small stuff like that will help your longevity in the league. I feel like I really needed that year to just realize what I needed… I think [teams] understand I’m trying to be a pro and be here a long time. I’m here to work.”"

Rabb led the Pac 12 in rebounding with 10.5 per game and was named as a first-team all-conference player. The book on him is he needs to get stronger to help with his positioning in the paint but he is agile enough to switch to guard some wings on the perimeter.

However, his best asset might be his basketball IQ, as he discussed after his Lakers workout:

"“It’s having a nose for the ball and wanting it. A lot of times, especially with offensive rebounds, you’re tired from setting screens and doing all types of stuff. You have to find the ball. When it hits the rim, beat the ball to the spot and grab it. It’s a mindset."

For a team as young as the Lakers are, you can never have enough players with awareness.

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