With the 25th overall pick, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Moritz Wagner. Here is the reaction to the pick on Twitter.
The Los Angeles Lakers used the 25th overall pick to select Moritz Wagner from Michigan with their first pick of the night. As the Lakers head into a very important offseason, one of the first big pieces that they have added is a talented big man.
Michigan was one of the best college basketball teams in the country last season, and Wagner was the key player for them in the middle. While Michigan went on their great run in the Big 10 and the NCAA Tournament, Wagner played very well for them.
The Lakers will be getting a big man that can shoot three-pointers and also take some defenders off the dribble despite his size. With Brook Lopez being a free agent, this seems like his likely replacement, as the drafting of Wagner likely means Lopez’s time in Los Angeles will be coming to an end.
We asked the fans on Twitter what they thought of the pick, as the Lakers could have gone in a few different directions.
The overall reaction to the selection of Wagner is pretty positive, as he fits what a big man in the NBA need to do now. Like Lopez, Wagner will be able to stretch the floor as a big man for the Lakers. For the Lakers, drafting Wagner gives them some insurance at the center/power forward if they do lose Lopez or Randle.
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However, also like Lopez, Wagner will have to prove himself as a rebounder and defender. Overall, one of the needs for the Lakers was to add some shooters. Wagner was a good shooter from beyond the arc at Michigan and also provides size. With the Summer League about a month away, we will likely get to see Wagner on the floor for the Lakers in Las Vegas.