This offseason will certainly be a big one for the Los Angeles Lakers, and making a good selection with the 25th pick will be important. Due to the Lakers having a lot of cap space, they are going to be pursuing some of the top free agents.
Since free agency starts after the draft, the Lakers will have to attack this draft carefully. In recent years, the Lakers have done a very nice job finding talent late in the draft. Last year, the Lakers were able to add Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart at the end of the first round. This year, they will be addressing the guard position by selecting De’Anthony Melton.
Melton did not play at USC last season due to an FBI investigation, but he had a strong freshman season at USC and could very well still be a first-round selection. Even though he is 6’3”, Melton has a big wingspan that helped him be a great defender at USC.
While he could help the Lakers a lot on the defensive end, he does still have some work to do offensively. Melton shot under 30 percent from three-point range in his freshman year, but that is something that he could have certainly improved upon in his year off. With a lot of potential, Melton would be a solid addition and help the Lakers at the guard position next season.