With the No. 25 pick in the most recent NBA Mock Draft on Bleacher Report, the Los Angeles Lakers selected USC guard, De’Anthony Melton.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been hard at work evaluating prospects for the 2018 NBA Draft. The Lakers own the No. 25 and No. 47 overall picks in the draft.
Los Angeles has been great at unearthing talent later in the draft in recent seasons. Last year they landed Kyle Kuzma with the No. 27 overall pick and Josh Hart with the No. 30 pick. Larry Nance Jr. was the No. 27 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. In 2014, Jordan Clarkson was selected No. 46.
That is a solid track record of landing impact talent despite not selecting high in the draft. The Lakers will be looking to do that again this year.
There have been a few rumors involving the Lakers and the draft thus far this offseason. One prospect who has been linked to the Lakers a few times is center Mitchell Robinson. Robinson is reportedly being seriously considered for the No. 25 pick.
Robinson would be a high risk, high reward selection. He did not play collegiately last season, as he decided to concentrate on training for the NBA instead of playing at Western Kentucky. Robinson is immensely talented but sitting out a year could hurt him.
Robinson isn’t the only player who could go in the first round that didn’t play at all last season. Another player is USC guard, De’Anthony Melton. Melton missed the season because of his ties to the FBI investigation.
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However, like Mitchell, Melton is a first-round talent. In the latest NBA Mock Draft on Bleacher Report, the Lakers land Melton with the No. 25 pick. Melton is an athletic point guard and would fill a need for the Lakers, as they could lose three players from their backcourt this summer in free agency.
Here is what Bleacher Report had to say about the Melton selection.
"Melton missed the season due to FBI investiagion ties, but his play at the combine should have reassured teams that he has kept in shape and worked on his jumper. A two-way combo guard, Melton should carve out a role with his offensive versatility and defensive pressure. He’s on steal watch depending on how much progress he makes as a shooter."
In his one season with USC, Melton made only 28.4 percent of his 3-point attempts. That is a number he must improve upon if he is going to stick in the NBA. However, the tools are there for him to become a good player.
Melton is a great rebounder for a guard, averaging 4.7 per game at USC. He is also a solid playmaker, averaging 3.5 assists per game. His defensive presence could be enough to push him into the first round despite his lack of a jump shot currently.
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If Melton shows his jump shot has improved during workouts, he will be a lock for the first round. As the Bleacher Report write up said, the Lakers could have another steal on their hand if Melton improves offensively and they select him 25th.