– Jalen Brunson
Another player that was likely on the Lakers’ board was Villanova point guard Jalen Brunson. The Lakers reportedly held a private individual workout for Brunson, as he was clearly on their radar.
Adding Brunson would have instantly given the Lakers a solid backup point guard that could run the offense and score in multiple ways. At Villanova last season, Brunson was named the National Player of the Year, and was arguably the best player on a team that had four players drafted, and three of them being in the first round.
Last season, Brunson averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Considering all of the talent that was on Villanova, Brunson averaging nearly 20 points per game is quite impressive. Brunson showed that he is a very efficient player, as he shot it over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
While Carter would have given the Lakers a boost defensively at guard, adding Brunson would have given them one of the best offensive players in college last season. With the Lakers passing on Carter and Brunson, they likely prioritized adding a center over a guard. However, getting an upgrade for Ennis will be a priority in free agency.