Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Reasons to draft Jalen Brunson

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Collin Gillespie #2 and Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats watch "One Shining Moment" while celebrating after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Collin Gillespie #2 and Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats watch "One Shining Moment" while celebrating after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers: Point guard Tyler Ennis earning minutes
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 3: Tyler Ennis #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 3, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

– Would provide the Lakers with a needed guard

One of the glaring weakness for the Lakers last season was their situation at backup point guard. Due to injuries for Lonzo Ball, the Lakers had to play Tyler Ennis and Alex Caruso a lot more than they would have liked. While Caruso was better than Ennis, either playing extended minutes didn’t work out well for the Lakers.

By selecting Brunson, the Lakers would be giving themselves a point guard that can run the second unit, and also provide a scoring spark off the bench. With the ability to shoot three-pointers, Brunson and Ball would also be able to play together like we saw briefly with Lonzo and Isaiah Thomas.

As a three-year starter at Villanova, Brunson should be able to step in right away in the rotation wherever he is drafted. For the Lakers, Brunson would be a noticeable upgrade for them at the backup point guard position, as it would be hard to imagine Ennis being back next season.

Next: 5 Options for the Lakers with the 25th pick

Filling this need on the bench might be one of the most important things for the Lakers this offseason, as they have to have a capable backup for Ball. Also, Brunson would have the ability to be similar to what Jordan Clarkson was for the team, but just as more of a true point guard.

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