Los Angeles Lakers add stash, shooting in 2nd round of 2018 NBA Draft
In the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Isaac Bonga and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
The Los Angeles Lakers added some international flavor with their first-round pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. Michigan center Moritz Wagner heard his name called with the 25th overall pick. In the second round, the Lakers added some more international flavor.
With the No. 39 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected Isaac Bonga from Germany. The Lakers acquired the pick from an earlier trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Bonga is a draft and stash prospect, as he will remain overseas for at least one or two more seasons.
Bonga is a point forward, standing 6’10” with a 7-foot wingspan. He is a great playmaker with excellent passing skills and court vision. With that size, he is able to see over most of the players that try and defend him. At that size, he offers some versatility defensively as well.
Bonga needs to continue adding strength if his game is going to translate over to the NBA. His jump shot also needs to improve as well. Los Angeles is hoping that he does that overseas the next few seasons.
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With the No. 47 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected Kansas shooting guard, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
Mykhailiuk brings much-needed shooting to the table for Los Angeles. He knocked down 40.9 percent of his 3-point attempts last season. That is the skill that will appeal to the Lakers’ the most, but he brings more to the table.
Mykhailiuk is also a solid playmaker and decent rebounder. His size also makes him a very good defender. At 6’8″, he should be able to defend multiple positions, especially since he has some athleticism. There were plenty of times in college that he defended power forwards.
The biggest knock against him is his shorter than expected arm length. His wingspan is only 6’5″, which could cause some problems for him in certain matchups. However, with the range he has on his jump shot, he should still find some space to get his jump shot off.
Next: Complete 2018 First Round Mock Draft
The Lakers goal was clear this year, as they added long, versatile players. While we will have to wait a little while to see Bonga, Svi could carve out a role for himself this season as a 3-point specialist.